INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Premiums earned:
Premiums earned - Health	$ 298,546	$ 289,586	$ 258,099
Premiums earned - Life and annuity	37,868	36,560	36,700
Net investment income	39,788	41,801	43,520
Fee income	28,632	32,741	29,322
Net realized investment gains	8,670	4,646	8,789
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(2,471)	(3,819)	(29,991)
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income	948
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(1,523)	(3,819)	(29,991)
Equity income from AMIC		280	1,289
Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC		27,830
Other income	6,015	5,743	7,110
TOTAL REVENUES	417,996	435,368	354,838
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:
Benefits, claims and reserves - Health	190,213	201,136	180,265
Benefits claims and reserves - Life and annuity	48,649	50,182	44,969
Selling, general and administrative expenses	147,102	139,643	139,370
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	11,569	6,243	5,519
Interest expense on debt	1,965	1,912	2,817
TOTAL EXPENSES	399,498	399,116	372,940
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	18,498	36,252	(18,102)
Income taxes (benefits)	3,732	12,583	(10,669)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	14,766	23,669	(7,433)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(256)	301
Net income (loss)	14,766	23,413	(7,132)
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(1,763)	(1,676)	10
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	$ 13,003	$ 21,737	$ (7,122)
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 0.81	$ 1.44	$ (0.48)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share		$ (0.02)	$ 0.02
Basic income (loss) per common share	$ 0.81	$ 1.42	$ (0.46)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING	15,979	15,268	15,418
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ 0.81	$ 1.44	$ (0.48)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share		$ (0.02)	$ 0.02
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$ 0.81	$ 1.42	$ (0.46)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	15,985	15,270	15,418