INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 8,160	$ 7,264
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	3,225	3,449
Net realized investment gains	(2,987)	(1,681)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	704	468
Equity income from equity method investments	(556)	(714)
Depreciation and amortization	1,973	2,233
Share-based compensation expenses	633	351
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	1,945	250
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	3,514	2,015
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	(712)
Change in insurance liabilities	1,159	646
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(3,362)	(3,786)
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	(149,093)	(3,028)
Change in premium and claim funds	1,887	544
Change in income tax liability	2,544	2,888
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(3,431)	5,492
Change in other assets	553	(2,009)
Change in other liabilities	(5,838)	(3,379)
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	(139,682)	11,003
Net change in cash from operating activities	(139,682)	11,003
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	5,315	(16,530)
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	(4,379)	27,101
Sales of equity securities	4,928	30,770
Purchases of equity securities	(2,963)	(35,386)
Sales of fixed maturities	336,049	244,277
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	35,893	39,792
Purchases of fixed maturities	(239,053)	(301,198)
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	3,535	(153)
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	(243)
Change in notes and other receivables	(1,980)	(727)
Other investing activites	(1,409)	(884)
Net change in cash from investing activities	135,693	(12,938)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,013)	(81)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(55)	(164)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(58)	(1,000)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	1,338	3,390
Dividends paid	(1,051)	(375)
Other financing activities	2	48
Net change in cash from financing activities	(837)	1,818
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(4,826)	(117)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,227	11,426
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 13,401	$ 11,309