INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income (loss)	$ 133,314	$ 30,522	$ 16,921
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(5,424)	(5,475)	15,509
Tax (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(1,916)	(2,013)	4,816
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3,508)	(3,462)	10,693
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,508)	(3,462)	10,693
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	129,806	27,060	27,614
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(10,016)	(578)	(628)
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	(118)	(5)	(199)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(118)	(5)	(199)
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10,134)	(583)	(827)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to IHC	$ 119,672	$ 26,477	$ 26,787