INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 133,314	$ 30,522	$ 16,921
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from operating activities:
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	(110,337)
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture		(9,940)
Gain on disposition of assets		(5,053)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	319	3,524	4,941
Net realized investment gains	(4,502)	(3,094)	(7,688)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	1,475	228
Equity income from equity method investments	(62)	(405)	(1,106)
Depreciation and amortization	1,831	2,313	3,000
Deferred tax expense (benefits)	4,445	614	5,423
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	7,809	6,724	10,586
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net sales (purchases) of trading securities	3,727	5,356	(4,719)
Change in insurance liabilities	(120,064)	(18,907)	(94,876)
Change in deferred acquisisition costs	(296)	26,774	(6,223)
Change in amount due from reinsurers	42,787	(202,617)	101,987
Change in premium and claim funds	3,094	(1,891)	4,800
Change in current income tax liability	(9,146)	3,386	2,241
Change in due and unpaid premiums	26,179	(6,447)	(3,193)
Other operating activities	(11,571)	4,189	(4,763)
Net change in cash from operating activities	(30,998)	(164,724)	27,331
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments	(6,870)
Net sales (purchases) of securities under resale and repurchase agreements	(677)	(11,495)	5,804
Sales of equity securities	3,577	11,986	288
Purchases of equity securities		(6,601)	(1,228)
Sales of fixed maturities	410,983	629,376	353,143
Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities	47,285	42,630	45,091
Purchases of fixed maturities	(486,398)	(521,417)	(421,285)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired		511
Proceeds from sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested	135,736	4,518
Proceeds from sale of assets		8,000
Change in policy loans	1	10,629	660
Proceeds on sales of other investments	4,210	1,000
Purchases of other investments	(4,371)		(900)
Other investing activites	(4,601)	(809)	2,574
Net change in cash from investing activities	98,875	168,328	(15,853)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(3,522)	(1,820)	(3,972)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(18,111)	(1,734)
Proceeds (withdrawals) of investment-type insurance contracts	1,898	(2,306)	(2,988)
Repayment of long-term debt	(42,935)	(2,617)	(2,000)
Dividends paid	(1,553)	(1,392)	(1,233)
Other financing activities	(815)	353	(431)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(65,038)	(9,516)	(10,624)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations	2,839	(5,912)	854
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period, including discontinued operations	19,171	25,083	24,229
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period, including discontinued operations	$ 22,010	$ 19,171	$ 25,083