INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 12,550	$ 11,275
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	4,812	5,293
Net realized investment gains	(3,998)	(2,605)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	704	575
Equity income from equity method investments	(1,362)	(1,512)
Depreciation and amortization	3,052	3,183
Share-based compensation expenses	794	395
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	4,265	774
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	5,159	3,162
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	63
Change in insurance liabilities	(139,719)	(2,265)
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(4,615)	(5,814)
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	(5,150)	2,162
Change in premium and claim funds	3,978	(361)
Change in income tax liability	1,661	3,514
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(8,165)	2,948
Change in other assets	(882)	(3,123)
Change in other liabilities	(3,591)	(7,040)
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	(130,444)	10,561
Net change in cash from operating activities	(130,444)	10,561
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	5,318	(28,346)
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	2,276	23,729
Sales of equity securities	7,567	52,826
Purchases of equity securities	(2,963)	(50,135)
Sales of fixed maturities	396,579	284,390
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	53,039	138,875
Purchases of fixed maturities	(328,968)	(435,757)
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	1,535	1,129
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	(243)
Change in notes and other receivables	(2,383)	1,629
Other investing activites	(3,138)	(1,390)
Net change in cash from investing activities	128,619	(13,050)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds of long-term debt		2,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,000)
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,108)	(598)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(56)	(164)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(58)	(1,450)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	2,433	5,700
Dividends paid	(1,051)	(777)
Other financing activities	2	57
Net change in cash from financing activities	(1,838)	5,268
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(3,663)	2,779
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,227	11,426
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 14,564	$ 14,205