INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Premiums earned:
Premiums earned - Health	$ 319,655	$ 298,546	$ 289,586
Premiums earned - Life and annuity	36,412	37,868	36,560
Net investment income	33,356	39,788	41,801
Fee income	29,290	28,632	32,741
Other income	4,953	6,015	5,743
Net realized investment gains	5,099	8,670	4,646
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(992)	(2,471)	(3,819)
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income	288	948
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(704)	(1,523)	(3,819)
Equity income from significant equity method investments			280
Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC			27,830
TOTAL REVENUES	428,061	417,996	435,368
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:
Benefits, claims and reserves - Health	204,910	190,213	201,136
Benefits claims and reserves - Life and annuity	39,881	48,649	50,182
Selling, general and administrative expenses	149,999	147,102	139,643
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	6,566	11,569	6,243
Interest expense on debt	2,091	1,965	1,912
TOTAL EXPENSES	403,447	399,498	399,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	24,614	18,498	36,252
Income taxes (benefits)	2,003	3,732	12,583
Income (loss) from continuing operations	22,611	14,766	23,669
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(256)
Net income (loss)	22,611	14,766	23,413
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(2,950)	(1,763)	(1,676)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	$ 19,661	$ 13,003	$ 21,737
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per basic share	$ 1.09	$ 0.74	$ 1.31
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share			$ (0.02)
Basic income (loss) per common share	$ 1.09	$ 0.74	$ 1.29
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING	17,979	17,577	16,795
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ 1.09	$ 0.74	$ 1.31
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share			$ (0.02)
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$ 1.09	$ 0.74	$ 1.29
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	18,088	17,584	16,797