Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue
Other income	$ 357	$ 477	$ 372	$ 354	$ 287	$ 303	$ 283	$ 245	$ 1,560	$ 1,118	$ 1,667
Total revenue									96,837	93,883	70,723
Expenses
Operating expenses	3,993	4,474	4,370	4,530	4,211	4,710	4,536	4,139	17,367	17,596	14,806
Interest expense	616	303	219	224	179	168	143	157	1,362	647	769
Total expenses									118,891	102,526	70,640
Income tax expense (benefit)	(36)	(135)	(282)	6	530	16	(623)	0	(447)	(77)	48
Net income (loss)	$ 221	$ (18,898)	$ (1,067)	$ (1,798)	$ (4,421)	$ (1,475)	$ (513)	$ (2,028)	(21,542)	(8,437)	(17)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest										0	(81)
Net income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(21,542)	(8,437)	64
Other Comprehensive Income
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries									717	(1,262)	(976)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(20,825)	(9,699)	(912)
Parent Company
Revenue
Management fees from subsidiaries									15,905	9,911	8,007
Other income									826	51	64
Total revenue									16,731	9,962	8,071
Expenses
Operating expenses									13,496	16,995	13,710
Interest expense									1,362	647	766
Total expenses									14,858	17,642	14,476
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit									1,873	(7,680)	(6,405)
Income tax expense (benefit)									859	(864)	(1,025)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries									1,014	(6,816)	(5,380)
Equity earnings (losses) in subsidiaries									(22,556)	(1,621)	5,363
Net income (loss)									(21,542)	(8,437)	(17)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	(81)
Net income (loss) attributable to Conifer									(21,542)	(8,437)	64
Other Comprehensive Income
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries									717	(1,262)	(976)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Conifer									$ (20,825)	$ (9,699)	$ (912)