INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 13,114	$ 12,550
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	13,792	4,812
Net realized investment gains	(18,771)	(3,998)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		704
Equity income from equity method investments	(2,150)	(1,362)
Depreciation and amortization	3,483	3,052
Share-based compensation expense	956	794
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	3,891	4,265
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	3,689	5,159
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	1,747	63
Change in insurance liabilities	27,441	(139,719)
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(4,382)	(4,615)
Change in amount due from reinsurers	(210,922)	(5,150)
Change in premium and claim funds	(199)	3,978
Change in current income tax liability	2,761	1,661
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(8,913)	(8,165)
Change in other assets	(196)	(882)
Change in other liabilities	1,326	(3,591)
Net change in cash from operating activities	(173,333)	(130,444)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers	7,621	5,318
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	(80)	2,276
Sales of equity securities	10,029	7,567
Purchases of equity securities		(2,963)
Sales of fixed maturities	518,399	396,579
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	44,692	53,039
Purchases of fixed maturities	(413,937)	(328,968)
Change in other investments		1,535
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired		(243)
Other investing activites	9,103	(5,521)
Net change in cash from investing activities	175,827	128,619
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(2,898)	(1,108)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,199)	(58)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(2,342)	2,433
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,000)	(2,000)
Dividends paid	(620)	(1,051)
Proceeds of stock option exercises	400
Other financing activities	(945)	(54)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(9,604)	(1,838)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(7,110)	(3,663)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	23,945	18,227
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 16,835	$ 14,564