INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 11,275	$ 23,543
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC		(27,830)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		203
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	5,293	4,716
Net realized investment gains	(2,605)	(6,013)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	575	2,797
Equity income from AMIC and other equity method investments	(1,512)	(927)
Depreciation and amortization	3,183	3,609
Share-based compensation expenses	395	574
Deferred tax expense	774	14,730
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	3,162	1,408
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities		(1,355)
Change in insurance liabilities	(2,265)	(27,244)
Additions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(5,814)	(4,952)
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	2,162	15,934
Change in premium and claim funds	(361)	3,702
Change in income tax liability	3,514	(3,175)
Change in due and unpaid premiums	2,948	10,655
Change in other assets	(3,123)	79
Change in other liabilities	(7,040)	(9,732)
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	10,561	722
Net change in cash from operating activities of discontinued operations		(975)
Net change in cash from operating activities	10,561	(253)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	(28,346)	10,093
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	23,729	9,951
Sales of equity securities	52,826	49,295
Purchases of equity securities	(50,135)	(37,719)
Sales of fixed maturities	284,390	535,848
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	138,875	96,178
Purchases of fixed maturities	(435,757)	(657,028)
Additional investments in other investments, net of distributions	1,129	2,070
Cash acquired in acquisition of AMIC, net of cash paid		4,562
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired		(3,469)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,450)
Cash received (paid) in acquisition of policy blocks		(2,791)
Change in notes and other receivables	1,629	844
Other investing activites	(1,390)	(1,581)
Net change in cash from investing activities	(14,500)	6,253
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds of long-term debt	2,500
Repayment of long-term debt		(1,500)
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(598)	(1,591)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(164)	(22)
Proceeds of investment-type insurance contracts	5,700	118
Dividends paid	(777)	(767)
Other financing activities	57	(15)
Net change in cash from financing activities	6,718	(3,777)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,779	2,223
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,426	7,394
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 14,205	$ 9,617