INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 115,666	$ 5,331
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	(109,304)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	86	1,464
Net realized investment gains	(560)	(2,000)
Equity income from equity method investments	30	(365)
Depreciation and amortization	472	536
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	(901)	3,251
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	3,105	2,341
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	3,180	1,291
Change in insurance liabilities	(31,725)	2,935
Change in amount due from reinsurers	20,985	4,531
Change in premium and claim funds	(19,562)	(376)
Change in current income tax liability	(1,428)	(789)
Change in due and unpaid premiums	4,430	(14,183)
Other operating activities	(6,057)	2,749
Net change in cash from operating activities	(21,583)	6,716
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	7,089	(34,147)
Sales of equity securities		3,902
Sales of fixed maturities	32,447	92,089
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	10,342	12,067
Purchases of fixed maturities	(30,723)	(81,963)
Proceeds from sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested	134,625
Other investing activites	(1,107)	10
Net change in cash from investing activities	152,673	(8,042)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(821)	(597)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests		(1,609)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(500)	(607)
Repayment of long-term debt	(939)
Dividends paid	(779)	(609)
Other financing activities	145	144
Net change in cash from financing activities	(2,894)	(3,278)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	128,196	(4,604)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,500	23,408
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 145,696	$ 18,804