INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income (loss)	$ 4,366	$ 14,888	$ 124,669	$ 25,375
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(1,173)	2,982	10,734	(2,130)
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(418)	1,060	3,830	(818)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(755)	1,922	6,904	(1,312)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(755)	1,922	6,904	(1,312)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,611	16,810	131,573	24,063
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(43)	(128)	(9,900)	(364)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	47	(51)	(118)	(61)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	47	(51)	(118)	(61)
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	(179)	(10,018)	(425)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to IHC	$ 3,615	$ 16,631	$ 121,555	$ 23,638