INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income (loss)	$ 15,256	$ 22,611	$ 14,766
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(38,439)	11,115	12,293
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(12,252)	3,672	3,935
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(26,187)	7,443	8,358
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income		(288)	(948)
Tax benefit on other-than-temporary impairment losses		(41)	(330)
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax		(247)	(618)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge, pre-tax	159	131	(494)
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge	63	52	(197)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge, net of taxes	96	79	(297)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(26,091)	7,275	7,443
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(10,835)	29,886	22,209
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(1,477)	(2,950)	(1,763)
Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	665	(118)	(343)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	665	(118)	(343)
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(812)	(3,068)	(2,106)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to IHC	$ (11,647)	$ 26,818	$ 20,103