INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income (loss)	$ 16,921	$ 15,256	$ 22,611
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	15,389	(38,439)	11,115
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	4,768	(12,252)	3,672
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	10,621	(26,187)	7,443
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income			(288)
Tax benefit on other-than-temporary impairment losses			(41)
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax			(247)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge, pre-tax	120	159	131
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge	48	63	52
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge, net of taxes	72	96	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,693	(26,091)	7,275
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	27,614	(10,835)	29,886
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(628)	(1,477)	(2,950)
Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(199)	665	(118)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(199)	665	(118)
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(827)	(812)	(3,068)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to IHC	$ 26,787	$ (11,647)	$ 26,818