INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 25,375	$ 12,709
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture	(10,161)
Gain on disposition of assets	(5,053)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	3,446	3,887
Net realized investment gains	(2,991)	(6,914)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	228
Equity income from equity method investments	(579)	(1,030)
Depreciation and amortization	2,317	2,971
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	(6,313)	4,146
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	3,654	7,199
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	160	(4,501)
Change in insurance liabilities	(17,627)	(106,540)
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	26,827	(4,551)
Change in amount due from reinsurers	(203,570)	100,206
Change in premium and claim funds	(3,556)	(2,156)
Change in current income tax liability	17,376	5,110
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(6,360)	(2,385)
Change in other assets	(6,702)	3,842
Change in other liabilities	6,973	(6,344)
Net change in cash from operating activities	(176,556)	5,649
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	5,708	6,181
Sales of equity securities	9,187	288
Purchases of equity securities	(4,423)	(1,228)
Sales of fixed maturities	601,187	295,964
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	36,505	32,993
Purchases of fixed maturities	(491,069)	(338,639)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired	511
Proceeds from deconsoidation of subsidiary, net of cash divested	3,524
Proceeds from sale of assets	8,000
Change in policy loans	10,629	647
Other investing activites	(1,035)	2,034
Net change in cash from investing activities	178,724	(1,760)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,722)	(3,953)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,734)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(1,756)	(2,286)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,137)	(2,000)
Dividends paid	(1,392)	(1,233)
Other financing activities	220	(431)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(8,521)	(9,903)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(6,353)	(6,014)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	25,083	24,229
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 18,730	$ 18,215