INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 22,611	$ 14,766	$ 23,413
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC			(27,830)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			256
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	6,566	11,569	6,243
Net realized investment gains	(5,099)	(8,670)	(4,646)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	704	1,523	3,819
Equity income from equity method investments	(1,435)	(1,591)	(974)
Depreciation and amortization	4,228	4,153	4,650
Share-based compensation expenses	832	616	734
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	(1,200)	(1,188)	15,100
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	7,010	4,951	2,329
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	(1,289)		(1,619)
Change in insurance liabilities	(137,440)	963	(34,787)
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(5,795)	(7,659)	(8,343)
Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers	1,011	2,990	24,985
Change in premium and claim funds	3,008	(5,958)	10,363
Change in income tax liability	1,673	7,612	(4,320)
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(12,089)	11,245	9,946
Change in other assets	(1,807)	(2,595)	1,379
Change in other liabilities	3,117	(4,842)	(15,007)
Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations	(115,394)	27,885	5,691
Net change in cash from operating activities of discontinued operations			(1,196)
Net change in cash from operating activities	(115,394)	27,885	4,495
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	(3,529)	(29,171)	14,490
Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	(16,698)	23,823	2,930
Sales of equity securities	14,689	71,183	123,178
Purchases of equity securities	(7,354)	(61,743)	(105,637)
Sales of fixed maturities	483,092	596,651	614,588
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	74,416	158,650	129,876
Purchases of fixed maturities	(412,753)	(786,560)	(778,153)
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	1,080	3,231	1,719
Cash acquired in acquisition of AMIC, net of cash paid			4,562
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	(243)		(3,469)
Cash received (paid) in acquisition of policy blocks			1,192
Change in notes and other receivables	(4,674)	969	1,170
Other investing activites	(5,159)	(1,259)	(1,869)
Net change in cash from investing activities	122,867	(24,226)	4,577
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds of long-term debt		2,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,000)		(1,500)
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,244)	(1,011)	(1,591)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(94)	(164)	(51)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(58)	(1,587)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	3,320	5,433	(1,117)
Dividends paid	(1,681)	(777)	(767)
Other financing activities	2	(1,252)	(14)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(1,755)	3,142	(5,040)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	5,718	6,801	4,032
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,227	11,426	7,394
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 23,945	$ 18,227	$ 11,426