INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 30,522	$ 16,921	$ 15,256
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture	(9,940)
Gain on disposition of assets	(5,053)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	3,524	4,941	15,132
Net realized investment gains	(3,094)	(7,688)	(19,750)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	228
Equity income from equity method investments	(405)	(1,106)	(2,506)
Depreciation and amortization	3,063	3,932	4,577
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	2,239	5,628	8,692
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	4,349	9,449	5,574
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	5,356	(4,719)	1,603
Change in insurance liabilities	(18,907)	(94,876)	36,136
(Additions) reductions to deferred acquisition costs, net	26,774	(6,223)	(5,827)
Change in amount due from reinsurers	(202,617)	101,987	(213,349)
Change in premium and claim funds	(1,891)	4,800	3,243
Change in current income tax liability	3,386	2,241	(951)
Change in due and unpaid premiums	(6,447)	(3,193)	(10,005)
Change in other assets	(5,139)	2,580	(219)
Change in other liabilities	9,328	(7,343)	78
Net change in cash from operating activities	(164,724)	27,331	(162,316)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	(11,495)	5,804	11,362
Sales of equity securities	11,986	288	11,529
Purchases of equity securities	(6,601)	(1,228)	(7,517)
Sales of fixed maturities	629,376	353,143	551,756
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	42,630	45,091	57,090
Purchases of fixed maturities	(521,417)	(421,285)	(462,823)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired	511
Proceeds from deconsoidation of subsidiary, net of cash divested	4,518
Proceeds from sale of assets	8,000
Change in policy loans	10,629	660	10,837
Other investing activites	191	1,674	9,455
Net change in cash from investing activities	168,328	(15,853)	181,689
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,820)	(3,972)	(3,636)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,734)		(8,825)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(2,306)	(2,988)	(3,262)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,617)	(2,000)	(2,000)
Dividends paid	(1,392)	(1,233)	(620)
Other financing activities	353	(431)	(746)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(9,516)	(10,624)	(19,089)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(5,912)	854	284
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	25,083	24,229	23,945
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 19,171	$ 25,083	$ 24,229