INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 14,766	$ 23,413	$ (7,132)
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		256	(301)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	11,569	6,243	5,519
Net realized investment gains	(8,670)	(4,646)	(8,789)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	1,523	3,819	29,991
Equity income from equity method investments	(1,591)	(974)	(2,015)
Depreciation and amortization	4,153	4,650	5,379
Share-based compensation expenses	616	734	518
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	(1,225)	15,101	(12,449)
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	4,951	2,328	5,512
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities		(1,619)
Change in insurance liabilities	963	(34,787)	(25,676)
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(7,659)	(8,343)	1,079
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	2,990	24,985	(38,421)
Change in premium and claim funds	(5,958)	10,363	8,508
Change in income tax liability	7,649	(4,320)	77
Change in due and unpaid premiums	11,245	9,946	6,932
Change in other assets	(2,595)	1,379	3,545
Change in other liabilities	(4,842)	(15,007)	2,265
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	27,885	5,691	(25,458)
Net change in cash from operating activities of discontinued operations		(1,196)	(2,568)
Net change in cash from operating activities	27,885	4,495	(28,026)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	(29,171)	14,490	5,207
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	23,823	2,930	18,115
Sales of equity securities	71,183	123,178	18,696
Purchases of equity securities	(61,743)	(105,637)	(4,718)
Sales of fixed maturities	596,651	614,588	463,932
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	158,650	129,876	170,613
Purchases of fixed maturities	(786,560)	(778,153)	(643,435)
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	3,231	1,719	808
Cash acquired in acquisition of AMIC, net of cash paid		4,562
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired		(3,469)	(775)
Cash received (paid) in acquisition of policy blocks		1,192
Change in notes and other receivables	969	1,170	2,472
Other investing activites	(1,259)	(1,869)	(2,095)
Net change in cash from investing activities	(24,226)	4,577	28,820
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			1
Proceeds of long-term debt	2,500
Repayment of long-term debt		(1,500)	(1,000)
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,011)	(1,591)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(164)	(51)	(720)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,587)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	5,433	(1,117)	1,298
Dividends paid	(777)	(767)	(746)
Other financing activities	(1,252)	(14)
Net change in cash from financing activities	3,142	(5,040)	(1,167)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	6,801	4,032	(373)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,426	7,394	7,767
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 18,227	$ 11,426	$ 7,394