Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue
Other income	$ 287	$ 303	$ 283	$ 245	$ 175	$ 523	$ 480	$ 489	$ 1,118	$ 1,667	$ 1,809
Total revenue									93,883	70,723	60,929
Expenses
Operating expenses	4,211	4,710	4,536	4,139	4,170	3,325	3,619	3,692	17,596	14,806	12,139
Interest expense	179	168	143	157	105	181	239	244	647	769	584
Total expenses									102,526	70,640	68,149
Income tax expense (benefit)	530	16	(623)	0	48	(48)	48	0	(77)	48	(281)
Net income (loss)	$ (4,421)	$ (1,475)	$ (513)	$ (2,028)	$ (2,304)	$ 1,145	$ 630	$ 512	(8,437)	(17)	(6,939)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	(81)	(4)
Net income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(8,437)	64	(6,935)
Other Comprehensive Income
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries									(1,262)	(976)	622
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(9,699)	(912)	(6,313)
Parent Company [Member]
Revenue
Management fees from subsidiaries									9,911	8,007	8,100
Other income									51	64	20
Total revenue									9,962	8,071	8,120
Expenses
Operating expenses									16,995	13,710	9,962
Interest expense									647	766	584
Total expenses									17,642	14,476	10,546
Loss before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit									(7,680)	(6,405)	(2,426)
Income tax expense (benefit)									(864)	(1,025)	(77)
Loss before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries									(6,816)	(5,380)	(2,349)
Equity earnings (losses) in subsidiaries									(1,621)	5,363	(4,590)
Net income (loss)									(8,437)	(17)	(6,939)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	(81)	(4)
Net income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(8,437)	64	(6,935)
Other Comprehensive Income
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries									(1,262)	(976)	622
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Conifer									$ (9,699)	$ (912)	$ (6,313)