INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Premiums earned:
Premiums earned - Health	$ 74,285	$ 75,723
Premiums earned - Life and annuity	9,489	10,150
Net investment income	8,751	10,116
Fee income	7,421	7,377
Other income	1,156	1,458
Net realized investment gains	1,137	(202)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(83)	(303)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(83)	(303)
TOTAL REVENUES	102,156	104,319
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:
Benefits, claims and reserves - Health	46,193	50,576
Benefits claims and reserves - Life and annuity	10,942	13,673
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,472	35,986
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,594	1,691
Interest expense on debt	539	457
TOTAL EXPENSES	95,740	102,383
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	6,416	1,936
Income taxes (benefits)	2,086	(1,864)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	4,330	3,800
Net income (loss)	4,330	3,800
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(408)	(616)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	$ 3,922	$ 3,184
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 0.22	$ 0.19
Basic income (loss) per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.19
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING	18,029	17,027
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ 0.22	$ 0.19
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.19
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	18,176	17,031