INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,330	$ 3,800
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,594	1,691
Net realized investment gains	(1,137)	202
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	83	303
Equity income from equity method investments	(458)	(542)
Depreciation and amortization	990	1,123
Share-based compensation expenses	478	138
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	1,789	(605)
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	1,782	878
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	(928)
Change in insurance liabilities	803	279
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(1,776)	(1,722)
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	(142,652)	(2,181)
Change in premium and claim funds	3,410	(2,112)
Change in income tax liability	1,013	(1,621)
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(1,749)	2,748
Change in other assets	(155)	(1,122)
Change in other liabilities	(6,260)	1,279
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	(138,843)	2,536
Net change in cash from operating activities	(138,843)	2,536
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	4,126	(20,947)
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	146	20,303
Sales of equity securities	4,928	14,993
Purchases of equity securities	(2,001)	(19,015)
Sales of fixed maturities	246,167	89,904
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	12,797	17,799
Purchases of fixed maturities	(133,450)	(103,417)
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	3,185	(617)
Change in notes and other receivables	(4,292)	(481)
Other investing activites	(896)	(372)
Net change in cash from investing activities	130,710	(1,850)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(457)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(57)	(117)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(267)	(1,000)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	392	803
Dividends paid	(421)	(381)
Other financing activities	2	21
Net change in cash from financing activities	(808)	(674)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(8,941)	12
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,227	11,426
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 9,286	$ 11,438