INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Premiums earned:
Premiums earned - Health	$ 108,216	$ 74,285
Premiums earned - Life and annuity	9,152	9,489
Net investment income	8,001	8,751
Fee income	6,542	7,421
Other income	1,352	1,156
Net realized investment gains	4,619	1,137
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses		(83)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		(83)
TOTAL REVENUES	137,882	102,156
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:
Benefits, claims and reserves - Health	75,444	46,193
Benefits claims and reserves - Life and annuity	10,016	10,942
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,880	36,472
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,440	1,594
Interest expense on debt	487	539
TOTAL EXPENSES	130,267	95,740
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	7,615	6,416
Income taxes (benefits)	2,575	2,086
Net income (loss)	5,040	4,330
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(339)	(408)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	$ 4,701	$ 3,922
Basic income (loss) per common share	$ 0.26	$ 0.22
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING	17,919	18,029
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$ 0.26	$ 0.22
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	18,040	18,176