INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 124,669	$ 25,375
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	(109,447)
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture		(10,161)
Gain on disposition of assets		(5,053)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	245	3,446
Net realized investment gains	(3,945)	(2,991)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	1,475	228
Equity income from equity method investments	7	(579)
Depreciation and amortization	1,482	1,740
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	2,565	(7,070)
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	6,683	4,988
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	3,180	160
Change in insurance liabilities	(41,713)	(17,627)
Change in deferred acquisisition costs	(217)	26,827
Change in amount due from reinsurers	4,227	(203,570)
Change in premium and claim funds	(4,835)	(3,556)
Change in current income tax liability	(6,550)	17,376
Change in due and unpaid premiums	11,621	(6,360)
Other operating activities	(6,200)	656
Net change in cash from operating activities	(16,753)	(176,171)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments	(8,104)
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	17,003	5,708
Sales of equity securities	2,429	9,187
Purchases of equity securities		(4,423)
Sales of fixed maturities	335,562	601,187
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	35,505	36,505
Purchases of fixed maturities	(406,348)	(491,069)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired		511
Proceeds from sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested	137,115	3,524
Proceeds from sale of assets		8,000
Change in policy loans		10,629
Proceeds on sales of other investments	2,064
Purchases of other investments	(3,371)
Other investing activites	(3,433)	(1,035)
Net change in cash from investing activities	108,422	178,724
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(3,522)	(1,722)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(18,141)	(1,734)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	(1,447)	(1,756)
Repayment of long-term debt	(4,789)	(2,137)
Dividends paid	(1,588)	(1,392)
Other financing activities	(474)	220
Net change in cash from financing activities	(29,961)	(8,521)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	61,708	(5,968)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,500	23,408
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 79,208	$ 17,440