Note 11. Related-party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 58,878	[1]	$ 37,875	[2]	$ 34,924	[3]
Sister Companies, MNL and SSL | Medical Stop-Loss Business Member
Related Party Transaction, Percent Business Written Contractually Required to Cede	15.00%
Related Party Transactions, Percent Business Written Regulatory Approval to Cede Maximum	50.00%
Assumed Premiums Written by Product, Percent	26.00%		24.00%
Sister Companies, MNL and SSL | International Health and LTD Business Member
Assumed Premiums Written by Product, Percent	8.00%
Sister Companies, MNL and SSL | Fully-Insured Business Member
Assumed Premiums Written by Product, Percent	12.00%		8.00%
Sister Companies, SSL | DBL Business Member
Assumed Premiums Written by Product, Percent	20.00%
IHCAffiliatedEntityMember
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 921		$ 1,088

[1] $19,223 from related parties

[2] $13,335 from related parties

[3] $11,914 from related parties