INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 15,256	$ 22,611	$ 14,766
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	15,132	6,566	11,569
Net realized investment gains	(19,750)	(5,099)	(8,670)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		704	1,523
Equity income from equity method investments	(2,506)	(1,435)	(1,591)
Depreciation and amortization	4,577	4,228	4,153
Share-based compensation expense	1,001	832	616
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	8,692	(1,200)	(1,188)
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	4,573	7,010	4,951
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	1,603	(1,289)
Change in insurance liabilities	36,136	(137,440)	963
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	(5,827)	(5,795)	(7,659)
Change in amount due from reinsurers	(213,349)	1,011	2,990
Change in premium and claim funds	3,243	3,008	(5,958)
Change in current income tax liability	(951)	1,673	7,612
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(10,005)	(12,089)	11,245
Change in other assets	(219)	(1,807)	(2,595)
Change in other liabilities	78	3,117	(4,842)
Net change in cash from operating activities	(162,316)	(115,394)	27,885
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	11,362	(16,698)	23,823
Sales of equity securities	11,529	14,689	71,183
Purchases of equity securities	(7,517)	(7,354)	(61,743)
Sales of fixed maturities	551,756	483,092	596,651
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	57,090	74,416	158,650
Purchases of fixed maturities	(462,823)	(412,753)	(786,560)
Change in other investments		1,080	3,231
Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired		(243)
Other investing activites	20,292	(13,362)	(29,461)
Net change in cash from investing activities	181,689	122,867	(24,226)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(3,636)	(1,244)	(1,011)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(8,825)	(58)	(1,587)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(3,262)	3,320	5,433
Proceeds of long-term debt			2,500
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,000)	(2,000)
Dividends paid	(620)	(1,681)	(777)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	430
Other financing activities	(1,176)	(92)	(1,416)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(19,089)	(1,755)	3,142
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	284	5,718	6,801
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	23,945	18,227	11,426
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 24,229	$ 23,945	$ 18,227