Independence Holding (IHC) 10-K 26 Mar 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 09, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Details
Registrant Name	INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
Registrant CIK	701,869
SEC Form	10-K
Period End date	Dec. 31, 2017
Fiscal Year End	--12-31
Trading Symbol	IHC
Tax Identification Number (TIN)	581,407,235
Number of common stock shares outstanding		14,803,468
Public Float			$ 104,174
Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Current with reporting	Yes
Voluntary filer	No
Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Incorporation, State Country Name	DELAWARE
Entity Address, Address Line One	96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD
Entity Address, City or Town	STAMFORD
Entity Address, State or Province	CONNECTICUT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	6,902
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	358-8000
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 1

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments
Short-term investments	$ 50	$ 6,912
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	10,269	28,962
Trading Securities	490	592
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	441,912	449,487
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	5,630	5,333
Other Investments	18,547	23,534
Investments, Total	476,898	514,820
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	26,465	22,010
Premiums Receivable, Net	21,950	42,896
Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Reinsurance Premium Paid	380,593	440,285
Customer Funds	11,108	17,952
Goodwill	50,697	41,573
Other Assets	72,912	54,928
Assets, Total	1,040,623	1,134,464
Liabilities
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	168,683	219,113
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	214,766	219,450
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities	143,537	145,749
Unearned Premiums	6,666	9,786
Policyholder Funds	10,402	9,769
Reinsurance Payable	3,808	35,796
Other Liabilities	56,453	55,477
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	0	68
Liabilities, Total	604,315	695,208
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	2,065	0
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	1,040,623	1,134,464
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	18,625	18,620
Paid-in capital	124,538	126,468
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(4,598)	(6,964)
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,735,173 and 1,517,983 shares	63,404	17,483
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	356,383	315,918
TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	431,544	436,559
NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,699	2,697
TOTAL EQUITY	$ 434,243	$ 439,256

Consolidated Balance Sheets - P

Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parenthetical - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Details
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	23,000,000	23,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	18,625,458	18,620,508
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	14,890,285	17,102,525
Treasury Stock, Shares	3,735,173	1,517,983

Consolidated Income Statement

Consolidated Income Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 282,266	$ 262,704	$ 479,534
Net Investment Income	16,276	16,570	17,237
Insurance Commissions and Fees	16,765	16,446	10,651
Other Income	2,648	12,257	10,267
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture	0	0	9,940
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	2,539	4,502	3,094
Revenues	320,494	311,004	530,495
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	0	1,475	228
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion in Other Comprehensive Loss, before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0	0	0
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	1,475	228
Operating Expenses
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	135,054	145,231	307,178
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	157,104	132,174	177,641
Interest Expense, Debt	0	1,534	1,798
Benefits, Losses and Expenses	292,158	278,939	486,617
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	28,336	32,065	43,878
Income taxes (benefits)	(13,794)	9,555	15,904
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	42,130	22,510	27,974
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	0	117,617	4,310
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	0	6,813	1,762
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	110,804	2,548
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	42,130	133,314	30,522
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	27	10,016	578
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	61	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 42,042	$ 123,298	$ 29,944
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 2.67	$ 1.28	$ 1.59
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	0	5.90	0.14
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 2.67	$ 7.18	$ 1.73
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	15,718	17,162	17,314
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 2.63	$ 1.27	$ 1.58
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	0	5.82	0.13
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 2.63	$ 7.09	$ 1.71
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	16,008	17,379	17,484

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	$ 42,130	$ 133,314	$ 30,522
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	4,996	(5,424)	(5,475)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax	1,815	(1,916)	(2,013)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	45,311	129,806	27,060
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	88	10,016	578
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	118	5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	118	5
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	88	10,134	583
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 45,223	$ 119,672	$ 26,477

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT	PAID-IN CAPITAL	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(LOSS)	TREASURY STOCK, AT COST	RETAINED EARNINGS	TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
Treasury Stock, Shares					(1,160,118)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 309,612	$ 18,531	$ 127,098	$ 22	$ (12,141)	$ 166,177	$ 299,687	$ 9,925
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		18,531,158
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	30,522					29,944	29,944	578
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	(3,462)			(3,467)			(3,467)	5
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(1,820)				$ (1,820)		(1,820)	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired					(143,307)
Acquisition of subsidiary	608						0	608
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(1,734)		112	5			117	(1,851)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(1,562)					(1,562)	(1,562)	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity	446	$ 38	408				446	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity, Shares Issued		38,025
Other capital transactions	94		115			(109)	6	88
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	332,704	$ 18,569	127,733	(3,440)	$ (13,961)	194,450	323,351	9,353
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		18,569,183
Treasury Stock, Shares					(1,303,425)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	133,314					123,298	123,298	10,016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	(3,508)			(3,626)			(3,626)	118
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(3,522)				$ (3,522)		(3,522)	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired					(214,558)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(18,111)		(2,302)	102			(2,200)	(15,911)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(1,800)					(1,800)	(1,800)	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity	778	$ 51	727				778	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity, Shares Issued		51,325
Other capital transactions	348		310			(30)	280	68
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 439,256	$ 18,620	126,468	(6,964)	$ (17,483)	315,918	436,559	2,697
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	17,102,525	18,620,508
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	$ (947)						0	(947)
Treasury Stock, Shares	(1,517,983)				(1,517,983)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$ 42,069					42,042	42,042	27
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	3,181			3,181			3,181	0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ (46,527)				$ (46,527)		(46,527)	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	(2,289,502)				(2,289,502)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ (2,392)					(2,392)	(2,392)	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity	(1,319)	$ 5	(1,930)		$ 606		(1,319)	0
Sharebased Compensation Effect On Stockholders Equity, Shares Issued		4,950			72,312
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 434,243	$ 18,625	$ 124,538	(4,598)	$ (63,404)	356,383	431,544	2,699
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	14,890,285	18,625,458
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	$ (25)						0	$ (25)
Stockholders Equity, Reclassification Of Stranded Tax Effects In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$ 0			$ (815)		$ 815	$ 0
Treasury Stock, Shares	(3,735,173)				(3,735,173)

Consolidated Statement of Stoc7

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - Parenthetical - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.16	$ 0.105	$ 0.09

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	$ 42,130	$ 133,314	$ 30,522
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	28,604	(30,998)	(164,724)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	110,337	0
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture	0	0	9,940
Gain on disposition of assets	0	0	5,053
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Amortization Expense	340	319	3,524
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	2,539	4,502	3,094
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	0	1,475	228
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	1,846	62	405
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,920	1,831	2,313
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(9,746)	4,445	614
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	(6,535)	(7,809)	(6,724)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital
Proceeds from (Payments for) Trading Securities, Short-term	0	3,727	5,356
Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities	(90,065)	(120,064)	(18,907)
Increase (Decrease) in Premiums Receivable	(20,946)	(26,179)	6,447
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	353	296	(26,774)
Increase (Decrease) in Reinsurance Recoverable	(59,692)	(42,787)	202,617
Change in premium and claim funds	(6,844)	(3,094)	1,891
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable	(5,979)	(9,146)	3,386
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net	(725)	11,571	(4,189)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments	(6,849)	6,870	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	18,693	(677)	(11,495)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	0	3,577	11,986
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	0	0	6,601
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt	193,930	410,983	629,376
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities	28,355	47,285	42,630
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Debt	210,694	486,398	521,417
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	12,323	0	(511)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested	0	135,736	4,518
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	0	0	8,000
Payments for (Proceeds from) Policy Loans	0	(1)	(10,629)
Proceeds from Sales of and Distributions from Other Investments	5,246	4,210	1,000
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	602	4,371	0
Other investing activities	1,854	4,601	809
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	27,600	98,875	168,328
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Payments for repurchases of common stock	46,401	3,522	1,820
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	0	18,111	1,734
Net Change Annuities and Investment Certificates	(1,736)	1,898	(2,306)
Repayments of debt	0	42,935	2,617
Dividends paid	1,928	1,553	1,392
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	1,659	0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(25)	(815)	353
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(51,749)	(65,038)	(9,516)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)	4,455	2,839	(5,912)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Beginning Balance	22,010	19,171	25,083
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Ending Balance	$ 26,465	$ 22,010	$ 19,171

Organization, Consolidation, Ba

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies	Note 1. Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (A) Business and Organization Independence Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“IHC”), is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business through: (i) its insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life"), Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"), and Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”); and (ii) its marketing and administrative companies, including IHC Specialty Benefits Inc., IHC Carrier Solutions, Inc. and a majority interest in PetPartners, Inc. (“PetPartners”). IHC also owns a significant equity interest in: (i) Ebix Health Exchange Holdings, LLC (“Ebix Health Exchange”), an administration exchange for health insurance. Standard Security Life, Madison National Life and Independence American are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Insurance Group”. IHC and its subsidiaries (including the Insurance Group) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company", or “IHC”, or are implicit in the terms “we”, “us” and “our”. Geneve Corporation, a diversified financial holding company, and its affiliated entities, held approximately 61% of IHC's outstanding common stock at December 31, 2017. (B) AMIC Holdings, Inc. AMIC Holdings, Inc., formerly known as American Independence Corp., (“AMIC”) is an insurance holding company engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business. At December 31, 2015, the Company owned approximately 92% of its outstanding common stock. On August 31, 2016, IHC took AMIC private by way of a statutory “short-form" merger. The Company paid $18,111,000 for the remaining shares of AMIC common stock owned by noncontrolling interests and as a result, the Company now owns all of the outstanding common stock of AMIC. In connection with the transaction, $2,200,000 was charged to paid-in capital representing: (i) the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid for the shares and the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests; plus (ii) specific, direct costs of the transaction. In 2015, IHC purchased shares of AMIC common stock increasing its ownership interest in AMIC from 90% to approximately 92%. Effects of Ownership Changes in Subsidiaries The following table summarizes the effects of any changes in the Company’s ownership interests in its less than wholly owned subsidiaries on IHC’s equity for the years indicated (in thousands). 2017 2016 2015 Changes in IHC’s paid-in capital: Purchases of AMIC shares $ - $ (2,200) $ (199) Purchase remaining IPA Family, LLC interests - - 311 Net transfers from (to) noncontrolling interests $ - $ (2,200) $ 112 (C) Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of IHC and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect: (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (ii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On March 31, 2016, the Company sold Risk Solutions, its managing general underwriter of excess or stop-loss insurance for self-insured employer groups that desire to manage the risk of large medical claims (“Medical Stop-Loss”). In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions was 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016. IHC’s block of medical stop-loss business is in run-off. The sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The disposal transaction qualified for reporting as discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Board of Directors commitment to a plan for its disposal in January 2016. The assets, liabilities, and related income and expenses associated with the disposal group are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto for all periods presented. The results of discontinued operations reflect the operations of the disposed managing general underwriters (see Note 3). The run-off of IHC’s remaining block of medical stop-loss business is in continuing operations. Effective September 1, 2015 (“Deconsolidation Date”), pursuant to the terms of a contribution agreement, IHC contributed all of its shares in its subsidiary, IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”) to Ebix Health Exchange, a newly formed joint venture with Ebix, Inc. (“Ebix”), and, as a result, IHC deconsolidated IHC Health Solutions (see Note 7). In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of IHC Health Solutions prior to the Deconsolidation Date. Subsequent to the Deconsolidation Date, the Company’s equity interest in the joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. (D) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments Cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value, and include principally interest-bearing deposits at brokers, money market instruments and U.S. Treasury securities with original maturities of less than 91 days. Investments with original maturities of 91 days to one year are considered short-term investments and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The following is a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the ending cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations, as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as of December 31 of each year indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,465 $ 22,010 $ 17,500 Cash and cash equivalents attributable to discontinued operations - - 1,671 Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations $ 26,465 $ 22,010 $ 19,171 (E) Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell Securities purchased under agreements to resell ("resale agreements") are carried at the amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold as specified in the agreements. Resale agreements are utilized to invest excess funds on a short-term basis. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $10,269,000 invested in resale agreements, all of which settled on January 2 , (F) Investment Securities (i) (a) (b) (ii) (iii) The Company periodically reviews and assesses the vendor’s qualifications and the design and appropriateness of its pricing methodologies. Management will on occasion challenge pricing information on certain individual securities and, through communications with the vendor, obtain information about the assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing those securities, and corroborate it against documented pricing methodologies. Validation procedures are in place to determine completeness and accuracy of pricing information, including, but not limited to: (i) review of exception reports that (a) identify any zero or un-priced securities; (b) identify securities with no price change; and (c) identify securities with significant price changes; (ii) performance of trend analyses; (iii) periodic comparison of pricing to alternative pricing sources; and (iv) comparison of pricing changes to expectations based on rating changes, benchmarks or control groups. In certain circumstances, pricing is unavailable from the vendor and broker-pricing information is used to determine fair value. In these instances, management will assess the quality of the data sources, the underlying assumptions and the reasonableness of the broker quotes based on the current market information available. To determine if an exception represents an error, management will often have to exercise judgment. Procedures to resolve an exception vary depending on the significance of the security and its related class, the frequency of the exception, the risk of material misstatement, and the availability of information for the security. These procedures include, but are not limited to; (i) a price challenge process with the vendor; (ii) pricing from a different vendor; (iii) a reasonableness review; and (iv) a change in price based on better information, such as an actual market trade, among other things. Management considers all facts and relevant information obtained during the above procedures to determine the proper classification of each security in the Fair Value Hierarchy. (iv) The Company reviews its investment securities regularly and determines whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred. The factors considered by management in its regular review to identify and recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities include, but are not limited to: the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the Company's intent to sell, or be required to sell, the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; adverse changes in ratings announced by one or more rating agencies; subordinated credit support; whether the issuer of a debt security has remained current on principal and interest payments; current expected cash flows; whether the decline in fair value appears to be issuer specific or, alternatively, a reflection of general market or industry conditions including the effect of changes in market interest rates. If the Company intends to sell a debt security, or it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell a debt security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date would be recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. If a decline in fair value of a debt security is judged by management to be other-than-temporary and; (i) the Company does not intend to sell the security; and (ii) it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the security’s amortized cost, the Company assesses whether the present value of the cash flows to be collected from the security is less than its amortized cost basis. To the extent that the present value of the cash flows generated by a debt security is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists. For any such security, the impairment is bifurcated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income, establishing a new cost basis for the security. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). It is reasonably possible that further declines in estimated fair values of such investments, or changes in assumptions or estimates of anticipated recoveries and/or cash flows, may cause further other-than-temporary impairments in the near term, which could be significant. In assessing corporate debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company evaluates the ability of the issuer to meet its debt obligations and the value of the company or specific collateral securing the debt position. For mortgage-backed securities where loan level data is not available, the Company uses a cash flow model based on the collateral characteristics. Assumptions about loss severity and defaults used in the model are primarily based on actual losses experienced and defaults in the collateral pool. Prepayment speeds, both actual and estimated, are also considered. The cash flows generated by the collateral securing these securities are then determined with these default, loss severity and prepayment assumptions. These collateral cash flows are then utilized, along with consideration for the issue’s position in the overall structure, to determine the cash flows associated with the mortgage-backed security held by the Company. In addition, the Company evaluates other asset-backed securities for other-than-temporary impairment by examining similar characteristics referenced above for mortgage-backed securities. The Company evaluates U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations, U.S. Government agencies, and obligations of states and political subdivisions for other-than-temporary impairment by examining the terms and collateral of the security. Equity securities may experience other-than-temporary impairment in the future based on the prospects for full recovery in value in a reasonable period of time and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security to recovery. If a decline in fair value is judged by management to be other-than-temporary or management does not have the intent or ability to hold a security, a loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. For the purpose of other-than-temporary impairment evaluations, redeemable preferred stocks are evaluated in a manner similar to debt securities. Declines in the creditworthiness of the issuer of debt securities with both debt and equity-like features are evaluated using the equity model in consideration of other-than-temporary impairment. Subsequent increases and decreases, if not an other-than-temporary impairment, in the fair value of available-for-sale securities that were previously impaired, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). (G) Other Investments Other investments primarily consist of limited partnership interests carried on the equity method, which approximates the Company's equity in the underlying net assets of the partnership. Equity income or loss on partnership interests is credited or charged, as appropriate, to the Consolidated Statements of Income. For cost method investments, dividends received are recognized in earnings to the extent that they were distributed from the net accumulated earnings of the investee. Dividends received in excess of the investee’s net accumulated earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reductions of cost of the investment. (H) Property and Equipment Property and equipment of $2,786,000 and $2,029,000 are included in other assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $4,188,000 and $3,348,000, respectively. Improvements are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation of property and equipment has been provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements has been provided on the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. (I) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill carrying amounts are evaluated for impairment, at least annually, at the reporting unit level that is equivalent to an operating segment. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, further evaluation is required to determine if a write-down of goodwill is required. In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, we used an income approach, applying a discounted cash flow method that included a residual value. Based on historical experience, we make assumptions as to: (i) expected future performance and future economic conditions, (ii) projected operating earnings, (iii) projected new and renewal business as well as profit margins on such business, and (iv) a discount rate that incorporated an appropriate risk level for the reporting unit. Any impairment of goodwill would be charged to expense. Other intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated useful lives and are subject to impairment testing. Any impairment of other intangible assets would be charged to expense. (J) Insurance Liabilities Policy Benefits and Claims The Company maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, where material, including legal, other fees, and costs not associated with specific claims but related to the claims payment function), for reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. These loss reserves are based on actuarial assumptions and are maintained at levels that are in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Many factors could affect these reserves, including economic and social conditions, frequency and severity of claims, medical trend resulting from the influences of underlying cost inflation, changes in utilization and demand for medical services, and changes in doctrines of legal liability and damage awards in litigation. Therefore, the Company’s reserves are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and analysis of historical experience. The Company’s results depend upon the variation between actual claims experience and the assumptions used in determining reserves and pricing products. Reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. The Company cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that will be paid for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The Company's estimate of loss represents management's best estimate of the Company's liability at the balance sheet date. Policy benefits and claims for the Company’s group disability products are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, future offsets and recoveries, elimination periods, interest rates, probability of rehabilitation or mortality, incidence and termination rates based on the Company’s experience. The liability for policy benefits and claims is made up of case reserves, IBNR and reopen reserves and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”). IBNR and reopen reserves are calculated by a hind-sight study, which takes historical experience and develops the reserve as a percentage of premiums from prior years. The two “primary” assumptions on which group disability reserves are based are: (i) morbidity levels; and (ii) recovery rates. If morbidity levels increase, for example due to an epidemic or a recessionary environment, the Company would increase reserves because there would be more new claims than expected. In regard to the assumed recovery rate, if disabled lives recover more quickly than anticipated then the existing claims reserves would be reduced; if less quickly, the existing claims reserves would be increased. Due to the long-term nature of LTD, in establishing the liability for policy benefits and claims, the Company must make estimates for case reserves, IBNR, and reserves for LAE. Case reserves generally equal the actuarial present value of the liability for future benefits to be paid on claims incurred as of the balance sheet date. The IBNR reserve is established based upon historical trends of existing incurred claims that were reported after the balance sheet date. The LAE reserve is calculated based on an actuarial expense study. There have been no significant changes to methodologies and assumptions from the prior year. Medical Stop-Loss Due to the sale of Risk Solutions, the Medical Stop-Loss segment is in run-off. The Company has $2.3 million in reserves at December 31, 2017. Liabilities for policy benefits and claims on medical stop-loss coverage are computed using completion factors and expected Net Loss Ratios derived from actual historical premium and claim data. Policy benefits and claims for medical stop-loss insurance are more volatile in nature than those for specialty health medical insurance. This is primarily due to the excess nature of medical stop-loss, with very high deductibles applying to specific claims on any individual claimant and in the aggregate for a given group. The level of these deductibles makes it more difficult to predict the amount and payment pattern of such claims. Furthermore, these excess claims are highly sensitive to changes in factors such as medical trend, provider contracts and medical treatment protocols, adding to the difficulty in predicting claim values and estimating reserves. Also, because medical stop-loss is in excess of an underlying benefit plan, there is an additional layer of claim reporting and processing that can affect claim payment patterns. Finally, changes in the distribution of business by effective month can affect reserve estimates due to the timing of claim occurrences and the time required to accumulate claims against the stop-loss deductible. Predicting ultimate claims and estimating reserves in Medical Stop-Loss is more complex than specialty health medical and disability business due to the “excess of loss” nature of these products with very high deductibles applying to specific claims on any individual claimant and in the aggregate for a given group. The level of these deductibles makes it more difficult to predict the amount and payment pattern of such claims. Fluctuations in results for specific coverage are primarily due to the severity and frequency of individual claims, whereas fluctuations in aggregate coverage are largely attributable to frequency of underlying claims rather than severity. Liabilities for first dollar medical reserves and disability coverages are computed using completion factors and expected Net Loss Ratios derived from actual historical premium and claim data. Due to the short-term nature of Medical Stop-Loss, redundancies or deficiencies will typically emerge during the course of the following year rather than over a number of years. For Medical Stop-Loss, as noted above, the Company maintains its reserves based on underlying assumptions until it determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on emerging experience from all of its prior underwriting years. Management believes that the Company's methods of estimating the liabilities for policy benefits and claims provided appropriate levels of reserves at December 31, 2017. Changes in the Company's policy benefits and claims estimates are generally recorded through a charge or credit to its earnings. There have been no significant changes to methodologies and assumptions from the prior year. Future Policy Benefits The liability for future policy benefits consists of the liabilities related to insured events for the Company’s long-duration contracts, primarily its life and annuity products. For traditional life insurance products, the Company computes the liability for future policy benefits primarily using the net premium method based on anticipated investment yield, mortality, and withdrawals. These methods are widely used in the life insurance industry to estimate the liabilities for future policy benefits. Inherent in these calculations are management and actuarial judgments and estimates that could significantly impact the ending reserve liabilities and, consequently, operating results. Actual results may differ, and these estimates are subject to interpretation and change. Management believes that the Company's methods of estimating the liabilities for future policy benefits provided appropriate levels of reserves at December 31, 2017. Changes in the Company's future policy benefits estimates are recorded through a charge or credit to its earnings. Funds on Deposit Funds received (net of mortality and expense charges) for certain long-duration contracts (principally deferred annuities and universal life policies) are credited directly to a policyholder liability account, funds on deposit. Withdrawals are recorded directly as a reduction of respective policyholders' funds on deposit. Amounts on deposit were credited at annual rates ranging from 3.0% to 6.0% in 2017, 3.0% to 6.0% in 2016, and 3.0% to 7.0% in 2015. Other Policyholders’ Funds Other policyholders’ funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products, such as universal life, interest-sensitive life and annuities. Policyholder funds are primarily comprised of deposits received and interest credited to the benefit of the policyholder less surrenders and withdrawals, mortality charges and administrative expenses. Interest credited to policyholder funds represents interest accrued or paid on interest-sensitive life policies and investment policies. These amounts are reported in insurance benefits, claims and reserves on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Credit rates for certain annuities and interest-sensitive life policies are adjusted periodically by the Company to reflect current market conditions, subject to contractually guaranteed minimum rates. (K) Deferred Income Taxes The provision for deferred income taxes is based on the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates to temporary differences between amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recognized for the portion of deferred tax assets that, in management's judgment, is not likely to be realized. A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded when it is more likely than not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates or laws is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company uses a portfolio approach to release income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The portfolio approach involves a strict period-by-period cumulative incremental allocation of income taxes to the change in unrealized gains and losses reflected in other comprehensive income. Under this approach, the net cumulative tax effect is ignored. The net change in unrealized gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income under this approach would be eliminated only on the date the entire inventory of available-for-sale securities is sold or otherwise disposed of. Interest and penalties, if any, are classified as other interest expense and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. (L Reinsurance Amounts paid for or recoverable under reinsurance contracts are included in total assets or total liabilities as due from reinsurers or due to reinsurers. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. (M) Insurance Premium Revenue Recognition and Policy Charges Premiums from short-duration medical insurance contracts are intended to cover expected claim costs resulting from insured events that occur during a fixed period of short duration. The Company has the ability to not renew the contract or to revise the premium rates at the end of each annual contract period to cover future insured events. Insurance premiums from annual health contracts are collected monthly and are recognized as revenue evenly as insurance protection is provided. Premiums related to long-term and short-term disability contracts are recognized on a pro rata basis over the applicable contract term. Traditional life insurance products consist principally of products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, primarily term and whole life insurance products. Revenue from these products are recognized as premium when due. Annuities and interest-sensitive life contracts, such as universal life and interest sensitive whole life, are contracts whose terms are not fixed and guaranteed. Premiums from these policies are reported as funds on deposit. Policy charges consist of fees assessed against the policyholder for cost of insurance (mortality risk), policy administration and early surrender. These revenues are recognized when assessed against the policyholder account balance. Policies that do not subject the Company to significant risk arising from mortality or morbidity are considered investment contracts. Deposits received for such contracts are reported as other policyholder funds. Policy charges for investment contracts consist of fees assessed against the policyholder account for maintenance, administration and surrender of the policy prior to contractually specified dates, and are recognized when assessed against the policyholder account balance. (N) Income Per Common Share Income per common share is computed using the treasury stock method. (O) Share-Based Compensation Compensation costs for equity awards, such as stock options and non-vested restricted stock, are measured based on grant-date fair value and are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the requisite service period (which is usually the vesting period). For such awards with only service conditions, the Company recognizes the compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Compensation costs for liability-classified awards, such as share appreciation rights (“SARs”), are measured and accrued each reporting period in the Consolidated Statements of Income as the requisite service or performance conditions are met. (P) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance allowing entities to reclassify, from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”). The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U. S. Federal corporate income tax rate in Tax Reform is recognized. The Company has elected to adopt the amendments in this Update on December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified the effect of the change in the U. S. Federal corporate income tax rate on its gross deferred tax amounts, and related valuation allowances, remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 to retained earnings. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance that amends the consolidation analysis for a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity. The amendments in this guidance require the decision maker’s evaluation of its interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis rather than in their entirety when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. New guidance related to the classifications in the statement of cash flows were applied on a prospective transition basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for retroactive adjustments on the date that a previously held investment qualifies for the equity method of accounting as a resul

Earnings Per Share _Text Block_

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Earnings Per Share	Note 2. Income Per Common Share Included in the diluted earnings per share calculation for 2017, 2016 and 2015 are 290,000, 217,000 and 170,000 of incremental common shares, respectively, primarily from the dilutive effect of share-based payment awards. The following is a reconciliation of income available to common shareholders used to calculate income per share for the periods indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 42,130 $ 22,510 $ 27,974 Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests (88) (458) (405) Income from continuing operations attributable to IHC common shareholders $ 42,042 $ 22,052 $ 27,569 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ - $ 110,804 $ 2,548 Less: Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests - (9,558) (173) Income from discontinued operations attributable to IHC common shareholders $ - $ 101,246 $ 2,375 Net income attributable to IHC $ 42,042 $ 123,298 $ 29,944

Disposal Groups, Including Disc

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure	Note 3. Discontinued Operations On March 31, 2016, IHC and a subsidiary of AMIC sold the stock of Risk Solutions to Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, a division of Swiss Re (“Swiss Re”). In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is co-insured by Westport Insurance Corporation (“Westport”), Swiss Re’s largest US carrier, as of January 1, 2016. The aggregate purchase price was $152,500,000 in cash, subject to adjustments and settlements. Approximately 89% of the purchase price was allocated to AMIC and its subsidiaries, with the balance being paid to Standard Security Life and other IHC subsidiaries. The Company recorded a gain of $100,819,000, net of taxes and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, as a result of the transaction. The aforementioned transaction, which includes the sale of Risk Solutions and the corresponding coinsurance agreement, is collectively referred to as the “Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction”. IHC’s block of Medical Stop-Loss business is in run-off. The sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The disposal transaction qualified for reporting as discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Board of Directors commitment to a plan for its disposal in January 2016. Aside from reinsurance and marketing of Westport small group stop-loss, there will be no further involvement with the discontinued operation. The following is a reconciliation of the major line items constituting the pretax profit of discontinued operations, including adjustments for amounts previously eliminated in consolidation, for the periods indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Revenue $ - $ 6,406 $ 2,373 Selling, general and administrative expenses - 5,689 (1,937) Pretax profit of discontinued operations - 717 4,310 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, pretax - 116,900 - Income from discontinued operations before income taxes - 117,617 4,310 Income taxes on discontinued operations - 6,813 1,762 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ - $ 110,804 $ 2,548 Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consist of $0 and $68,000, respectively, of accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Total operating and investing cash flows from discontinued operations were $128,000 and $(132,000), respectively, in 2015. In 2016, the Company elected to classify the proceeds received from the sale of discontinued operations in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. There were no other operating or investing cash flows from discontinued operations in 2017 or 2016. In connection with the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction in March 2016, AMIC utilized a significant amount of its Federal NOL carryforwards and made a corresponding adjustment to its valuation allowance (see Note 12). On a consolidated basis, the Company recorded income taxes on discontinued operations of $6,813,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, consisting of $3,819,000 of state income taxes and $2,994,000 of Federal taxes. Federal income taxes differ from applying the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% to pretax income from discontinued operations principally as the result of tax benefits from state income taxes and AMIC’s $38,169,000 decrease in its valuation allowance, net of a tax provision from limits on compensation deductions.

Investments in Debt and Marketa

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure	Note 4. Investment Securities The cost (amortized cost with respect to certain fixed maturities), gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment securities are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE FIXED MATURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Corporate securities $ 148,996 $ 298 $ (2,847) $ 146,447 CMOs - residential (1) 6,857 - (180) 6,677 U.S. Government obligations 85,510 - (396) 85,114 Agency MBS - residential (2) 14 - - 14 GSEs (3) 9,887 - (205) 9,682 States and political subdivisions 182,664 598 (3,619) 179,643 Foreign government obligations 4,227 13 (90) 4,150 Redeemable preferred stocks 10,006 179 - 10,185 Total fixed maturities $ 448,161 $ 1,088 $ (7,337) $ 441,912 EQUITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Common stocks $ 1,612 $ 388 $ - $ 2,000 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,588 60 (18) 3,630 Total equity securities $ 5,200 $ 448 $ (18) $ 5,630 December 31, 2016 GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE FIXED MATURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Corporate securities $ 192,976 $ 209 $ (5,490) $ 187,695 CMOs - residential (1) 6,021 8 (116) 5,913 U.S. Government obligations 43,417 133 (441) 43,109 Agency MBS - residential (2) 22 1 - 23 GSEs (3) 10,301 1 (422) 9,880 States and political subdivisions 191,146 780 (5,115) 186,811 Foreign government obligations 5,098 13 (157) 4,954 Redeemable preferred stocks 11,454 96 (448) 11,102 Total fixed maturities $ 460,435 $ 1,241 $ (12,189) $ 449,487 EQUITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Common stocks $ 1,612 $ 178 $ - $ 1,790 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,588 30 (75) 3,543 Total equity securities $ 5,200 $ 208 $ (75) $ 5,333 (1) (2) (3) The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities available-for-sale at December 31, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. AMORTIZED FAIR COST VALUE Due in one year or less $ 17,554 $ 17,492 Due after one year through five years 165,260 163,826 Due after five years through ten years 140,361 138,909 Due after ten years 108,228 105,312 Fixed maturities with no single maturity date 16,758 16,373 $ 448,161 $ 441,912 The following tables summarize, for all available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities that have continuously been in an unrealized loss position for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Corporate securities $ 85,642 $ 1,250 $ 44,640 $ 1,597 $ 130,282 $ 2,847 CMOs - residential 1,381 45 5,237 135 6,618 180 U.S. Government obligations 75,811 198 9,302 198 85,113 396 GSEs - - 9,669 205 9,669 205 States and political subdivisions 83,682 1,348 66,617 2,271 150,299 3,619 Foreign government obligations 2,959 90 - - 2,959 90 Total fixed maturities 249,475 2,931 135,465 4,406 384,940 7,337 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,160 18 - - 2,160 18 Total equity securities 2,160 18 - - 2,160 18 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 251,635 $ 2,949 $ 135,465 $ 4,406 $ 387,100 $ 7,355 Number of securities in an unrealized loss position 61 76 137 December 31, 2016 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Corporate securities $ 145,205 $ 3,818 $ 19,841 $ 1,672 $ 165,046 $ 5,490 CMO’s - residential 5,038 116 - - 5,038 116 U.S. Government obligations 28,406 441 - - 28,406 441 GSEs 3,640 166 6,220 256 9,860 422 States and political subdivisions 144,357 4,561 18,132 554 162,489 5,115 Foreign government obligations 3,738 157 - - 3,738 157 Redeemable preferred stocks - - 3,315 448 3,315 448 Total fixed maturities 330,384 9,259 47,508 2,930 377,892 12,189 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 826 25 1,277 50 2,103 75 Total equity securities 826 25 1,277 50 2,103 75 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 331,210 $ 9,284 $ 48,785 $ 2,980 $ 379,995 $ 12,264 Number of securities in an unrealized loss position 156 23 179 Substantially all of the unrealized losses on fixed maturities available-for-sale at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 relate to investment grade securities and are attributable to changes in market interest rates. Because the Company does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will have to sell such investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2017. The following table summarizes the Company’s net investment income for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Fixed maturities $ 13,397 $ 14,960 $ 15,364 Equity securities 613 676 845 Cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments 264 1,088 66 Equity method investments 1,846 62 405 Other 221 (135) 661 Investment income, gross 16,341 16,651 17,341 Investment expenses (65) (81) (104) Net investment income $ 16,276 $ 16,570 $ 17,237 The following table summarizes the Company’s net realized investment gains (losses) for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities $ 2,640 $ 4,275 $ 3,533 Common stocks - 263 1,519 Nonredeemable preferred stocks - - 151 Total available-for-sale securities 2,640 4,538 5,203 Trading securities - (409) (1,653) Total realized gains 2,640 4,129 3,550 Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities: Change in unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities (102) 289 (452) Total unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities (102) 289 (452) Gains (losses) on other investments 1 84 (4) Net realized investment gains $ 2,539 $ 4,502 $ 3,094 For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities, excluding paydowns and maturities, were $193,638,000, $414,997,000 and $640,902,000, respectively, and the company realized gross gains of $3,746,000, $5,356,000 and $6,412,000, respectively, and gross losses of $895,000, $480,000 and $805,000, respectively, on those sales. We recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings in the period that we determine: 1) we intend to sell the security; 2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or 3) the security has a credit loss. Any non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities in 2017. In 2016, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $1,475,000 on certain fixed maturities available-for-sale. The Company determined that it was more likely than not that we would sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. In 2015, the Company recognized $228,000 of other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings on equity securities available-for-sale due to the length of time and extent an equity security was below cost. Credit losses were recognized on certain fixed maturities for which each security also had an impairment loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The rollforward of these credit losses were as follows for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ - $ 473 $ 473 Securities sold - (473) - Balance at end of period $ - $ - $ 473

Fair Value Disclosures _Text Bl

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Fair Value Disclosures	Note 5. Fair Value Disclosures For all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company utilizes valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market expectations. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 The following section describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different assets and liabilities at fair value. Investments in fixed maturities and equity securities: Available-for-sale securities included in Level 1 are equities with quoted market prices. Level 2 is primarily comprised of our portfolio of government securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate fixed income securities, foreign government obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipals and GSEs that were priced with observable market inputs. Level 3 securities consist primarily of municipal tax credit strips. The valuation method used to determine the fair value of municipal tax credit strips is the present value of the remaining future tax credits (at the original issue discount rate) as presented in the redemption tables in the Municipal Prospectuses. This original issue discount is accreted into income on a constant yield basis over the term of the debt instrument. Further we retain independent pricing vendors to assist in valuing certain instruments. Trading securities: Trading securities included in Level 1 are equity securities with quoted market prices. The following tables present our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total FINANCIAL ASSETS: Fixed maturities available-for-sale: Corporate securities $ - $ 146,447 $ - $ 146,447 CMOs - residential - 6,677 - 6,677 US Government obligations - 85,114 - 85,114 Agency MBS - residential - 14 - 14 GSEs - 9,682 - 9,682 States and political subdivisions - 177,767 1,876 179,643 Foreign government obligations - 4,150 - 4,150 Redeemable preferred stocks 10,185 - - 10,185 Total fixed maturities 10,185 429,851 1,876 441,912 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks 2,000 - - 2,000 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,630 - - 3,630 Total equity securities 5,630 - - 5,630 Trading securities - equities 490 - - 490 Total trading securities 490 - - 490 Total Financial Assets $ 16,305 $ 429,851 $ 1,876 $ 448,032 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total FINANCIAL ASSETS: Fixed maturities available-for-sale: Corporate securities $ - $ 187,695 $ - $ 187,695 CMOs - residential - 5,913 - 5,913 US Government obligations - 43,109 - 43,109 Agency MBS - residential - 23 - 23 GSEs - 9,880 - 9,880 States and political subdivisions - 184,778 2,033 186,811 Foreign government obligations - 4,954 - 4,954 Redeemable preferred stocks 11,102 - - 11,102 Total fixed maturities 11,102 436,352 2,033 449,487 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks 1,790 - - 1,790 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,543 - - 3,543 Total equity securities 5,333 - - 5,333 Trading securities - equities 592 - - 592 Total trading securities 592 - - 592 Total Financial Assets $ 17,027 $ 436,352 $ 2,033 $ 455,412 It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of a reporting period. The Company does not transfer out of Level 3 and into Level 2 until such time as observable inputs become available and reliable or the range of available independent prices narrow. The Company did not transfer any securities between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in 2017 or 2016. The following table presents the changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial assets for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 States and Total States and Total Political Level 3 CMOs Political Level 3 Subdivisions Assets Commercial Subdivisions Assets Beginning balance $ 2,033 $ 2,033 $ 1,195 $ 2,179 $ 3,374 Gains (losses) included in earnings: Net realized investment gains - - 141 - 141 Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss): Net unrealized gains (losses) (35) (35) (296) (40) (336) Repayments and amortization of fixed maturities (122) (122) (74) (106) (180) Sales - - (966) - (966) Balance at end of period $ 1,876 $ 1,876 $ - $ 2,033 $ 2,033 During 2016, the Company had contingent liabilities classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These liabilities were paid out prior to December 31, 2016; there were no comparable amounts for 2017. The following table presents the changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial liabilities for the year indicated (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total Contingent Level 3 Liabilities Liabilities Beginning balance $ 1,650 $ 1,650 Gains (losses) included in earnings: Net investment income (1,038) (1,038) Other income 88 88 Payment of contingent liability (700) (700) Balance at end of period $ - $ - The following table provides carrying values, fair values and classification in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments, for the periods indicated, that are not carried at fair value but are subject to fair value disclosure requirements, for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 1 Level 2 Fair Fair Carrying Fair Fair Carrying Value Value Value Value Value Value FINANCIAL ASSETS: Short-term investments $ 50 $ - $ 50 $ 6,912 $ - $ 6,912 FINANCIAL LIABILITIES: Funds on deposit $ - $ 143,702 $ 143,537 $ - $ 146,098 $ 145,749 The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements: Short-term Investments Investments with original maturities of 91 days to one year are considered short-term investments and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Funds on Deposit The Company has two types of funds on deposit. The first type is credited with a current market interest rate, resulting in a fair value which approximates the carrying amount. The second type carries fixed interest rates which are higher than current market interest rates. The fair value of these deposits was estimated by discounting the payments using current market interest rates. The Company's universal life policies are also credited with current market interest rates, resulting in a fair value which approximates the carrying amount. Both types of funds on deposit are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in and Advances to

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments	Note 6. Other Investments, Including Variable Interest Entities Other investments consist of the following for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 2016 Equity method investments $ 15,385 $ 19,747 Cost method investments 3,125 3,750 Other investments and securities, at cost 37 37 $ 18,547 $ 23,534 In 2017 the Company received a $5,246,000 cash distribution from an equity investment representing a return of capital. Included in equity method investments above is our investment in Ebix Health Exchange. Ebix Health Exchange administers various lines of health insurance for IHC’s insurance subsidiaries. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in Ebix Health Exchange amounted to $8,188,000 and $8,770,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and the Company recorded $629,000, $(743,000) and $(271,000), respectively, of equity income (loss) from its investment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Effective July 1, 2016, Ebix exercised its right to increase its ownership in Ebix Health Exchange by purchasing an additional 11% of Ebix Health Exchange for $2,000,000. As a result of the transaction, the Company’s ownership interest in Ebix Health Exchange decreased to 49%. In accordance with the terms of the original sale and joint venture agreement, IHC was obligated to fund any negative cash flow through December 31, 2016 in the form of a loan to the joint venture. A portion of the loan at December 31, 2016 was converted to capital. In 2016, the Company reduced the contingent liability, previously recognized on the acquisition date (see Note 7), by $1,038,000, for cash operating losses reported during the period. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets includes $1,859,000 and $570,000, respectively, of notes and other amounts receivable from Ebix Health Exchange, and include $1,139,000 and $938,000, respectively, of administrative fees and other expenses payable to Ebix Health Exchange, which are included in other assets and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $0, $366,000 and $80,000, respectively, in fee income from Ebix Health Exchange, and include $10,306,000, $5,937,000 and $1,477,000, respectively, of administrative fee expenses to Ebix Health Exchange, which are included in fee income and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. During 2016, the Company acquired several other investments, including an equity method investment and certain cost method investments, for an aggregate $5,250,000. Investments in certain unconsolidated trust subsidiaries were liquidated in connection with the Company’s redemption of its junior subordinated debt in 2016 (see Note 11). Variable Interest Entities Other investments at December 31, 2017 and 2016 include $3,993,000 and $8,961,000, respectively, of noncontrolling interests in certain limited partnerships that we have determined to be Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). The aforementioned VIEs are not required to be consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as we are not the primary beneficiary since we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance. The Company will periodically reassess whether it is the primary beneficiary in any of these investments. The reassessment process will consider whether it has acquired the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIEs through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. The Company’s maximum loss exposure is limited to the combined $3,993,000 carrying value in these equity investments and the Company has no future funding obligations to them.

BusinessCombinationAndDeconsoli

BusinessCombinationAndDeconsolidationDisclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
BusinessCombinationAndDeconsolidationDisclosure	Note 7. Acquisitions, Sales and Deconsolidations of Subsidiaries Acquisitions A) PetPartners, Inc. On March 24, 2017 (the "Acquisition Date"), the Company acquired 85% of the stock of PetPartners, a pet insurance marketing and administration company, for a purchase price of $12,713,000, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company acquired PetPartners for the purpose of owning additional distribution and administration sources for its pet insurance. Any time after March 24, 2019, shares owned by the noncontrolling interest are putable to the Company at fair value and are therefore presented on the balance sheet as a redeemable noncontrolling interest. Upon the acquisition, the Company consolidated the assets and liabilities of PetPartners. The following table presents the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of PetPartners on the Acquisition Date based on their respective fair values (in thousands): Cash $ 390 Intangible assets 5,880 Other assets 567 Total identifiable assets 6,837 Other liabilities 174 Deferred tax liability 1,069 Total liabilities 1,243 Net identifiable assets acquired $ 5,594 Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ 2,005 In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $9,124,000 of goodwill and $5,880,000 of intangible assets (see Note 8). Goodwill reflects the synergies between PetPartners and Independence American as PetPartners will provide Independence American with increased distribution sources for its pet insurance business through its marketing relationship with the American Kennel Club. Goodwill was calculated as the excess of the sum of: (i) the acquisition date fair value of total cash consideration transferred of $12,713,000; and (ii) the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in PetPartners of $2,005,000 on the acquisition date; over (iii) the net identifiable assets of $5,594,000 that were acquired. The enterprise value of PetPartners was determined by an independent appraisal using a discounted cash flow model based upon the projected future earnings of PetPartners including a control premium. The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest was determined based upon their percentage of the PetPartners enterprise value discounted for a lack of control. Acquisition-related costs, primarily legal and consulting fees, were expensed and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. For the period from the Acquisition Date to December 31, 2017, the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income includes revenues and net income of $4,468,000 and $691,000, respectively, from PetPartners. Pro forma adjustments to present the Company’s consolidated revenues and net income as if the acquisition date was January 1, 2016 are not material and accordingly are omitted. B) Global Accident Facilities, LLC On April 30, 2015 (the "Acquisition Date"), through a settlement with a former owner, AMIC increased its ownership in Global Accident Facilities, LLC (“GAF) from 40% to 80%, in order to obtain control of the business it produced for Independence American. GAF and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the marketing, underwriting and administration of specialty risk insurance, referred to as Occupational Accident and Injury on Duty for Independence American, which are offered exclusively in Texas and Massachusetts, respectively. The consideration transferred in exchange for the additional 40% voting interest consisted of: (i) $325,000 in cash; and (ii) non-monetary consideration, primarily consisting of the settlement of a pre-existing relationship with a former owner, with a fair value of $1,195,000 at the Acquisition Date. The fair value of the settlement of the pre-exiting relationship was based on projected future underwriting results discounted for collectability. The acquisition resulted in AMIC obtaining control of GAF. Immediately preceding the transaction, AMIC’s carrying value of its investment in GAF was $1,908,000. As a result of AMIC obtaining control, the Company has included GAF’s consolidated assets and liabilities and results of operations, subsequent to the Acquisition Date, in its consolidated financial results as of and for the periods ended December 31, 2015. Accordingly, the individual line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income for 2015 reflect approximately eight months of the operations of GAF. On the Acquisition Date, the Company recognized a net pre-tax gain of $503,000 as follows: (i) a loss of $692,000 was recognized by AMIC as a result of re-measuring its equity interest in GAF to its fair value of $1,216,000 immediately before the acquisition; and (ii) a gain of $1,195,000 was recognized by AMIC as a result of settling the pre-existing relationship with the former owner. The net pre-tax gain of $503,000 is included in the “Other income” line in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Upon the acquisition of a controlling interest, the Company consolidated the assets and liabilities of GAF. Accordingly, the Company determined the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed from GAF on the Acquisition Date. The following table presents the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of GAF on the Acquisition Date based on their respective fair values (in thousands): Cash $ 836 Intangible assets 5,500 Other assets 1,405 Total identifiable assets 7,741 Other liabilities 4,369 Deferred tax liability 1,925 Debt 3,806 Total liabilities 10,100 Net identifiable liabilities assumed $ 2,359 On September 30, 2016, the Company sold the assets and the stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, AIS, to unrelated parties for an aggregate $9,000,000 of cash. Upon the sale, AIS was deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognized a loss of $558,000 on the transaction, pre-tax, which is included in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income in 2016. The loss was measured as the difference between the fair value of the consideration received and: (i) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities, including certain intangible assets (see Note 8); (ii) the divestiture of associated goodwill (see Note 8), and (iii) other expenses directly attributable to the transaction. There will be no further involvement with AIS other than with respect to the run-out of the business it produced for our insurance companies. B) Ebix Health Administration Exchange, Inc. Effective September 1, 2015, IHC and Ebix, a non-related party and international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services to the insurance, financial and healthcare industries, entered into a joint venture in which IHC sold its wholly owned administrative subsidiary, IHC Health Solutions (now known as Ebix Health Administration Exchange, Inc.), in exchange for a 60% ownership interest in Ebix Health Exchange and $6,000,000 in cash proceeds. Ebix contributed $6,000,000 of cash and a pet insurance software license, valued by Ebix Health Exchange at $2,000,000, for its 40%. IHC and Ebix have equal voting interest on the Board of Managers of Ebix Health Exchange. The transaction resulted in a loss of control over the subsidiary (due to a lack of the majority of the voting interest on the Board of Managers) and therefore the subsidiary was deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements. In 2015, the Company recognized a gain of $9,940,000, pre-tax, on the transaction consisting of: (i) a pre-tax gain on the deconsolidation of $11,441,000, measured as the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of the retained investment in Ebix Health Exchange less the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s net assets; partially offset by (ii) a contingent liability of $1,501,000 representing the Company’s estimated obligation to fund future cash operating losses through December 31, 2016 per the terms of the joint venture agreement. The fair value of the contingent liability was estimated based on expected future operating cash shortfalls. Approximately $5,441,000 of the pre-tax gain is attributable to the re-measurement of the retained investment in the former subsidiary to its current value. The fair value of the retained investment was determined by an independent appraisal using a discounted cash flow model based upon the projected future earnings. See Note 6 for more information about our investment in Ebix Health Exchange subsequent to its deconsolidation in 2015. C) Innovative Medical Risk Management, Inc. On December 31, 2015, the Company sold all of the stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Innovative Medical Risk Management, Inc. (“IMRM”), to an unrelated party for $1,084,000 cash consideration. Upon the sale, IMRM was deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognized a gain of $679,000 on the transaction, pre-tax, which is included in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income in 2015. The gain was measured as the difference between the fair value of the consideration received and the carrying amount of the former subsidiary’s assets and liabilities. The sale transaction also included an earn-out agreement with the new owners of IMRM. Other than the aforementioned earn-out agreement, there will be no further involvement with IMRM.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure	Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Changes in goodwill and goodwill balances by reportable segment are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands): Specialty Health Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 47,276 $ 47,276 Sale of subsidiary/business (see Note 7) (5,703) (5,703) Balance at December 31, 2016 41,573 41,573 Acquisition (see Note 7) 9,124 9,124 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 50,697 $ 50,697 The Company has net other intangible assets of $14,669,000 and $10,122,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These intangible assets consist of: (i) finite-lived intangible assets, principally the fair value of acquired agent and broker relationships, which are subject to amortization; and (ii) indefinite-lived intangible assets which consist of the estimated fair value of insurance licenses that are not subject to amortization. The gross carrying amounts of these other intangible assets are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Gross Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization Amount Amortization Finite-lived Intangible Assets: Agent and broker relationships $ 17,253 $ 12,140 $ 13,052 $ 11,882 Domain 1,000 125 1,000 25 Software systems 780 76 - - Total finite-lived $ 19,033 $ 12,341 $ 14,052 $ 11,907 December 31, 2017 2016 Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets: Insurance licenses $ 7,977 $ 7,977 Total indefinite-lived $ 7,977 $ 7,977 Changes in net other intangible assets are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ 10,122 $ 14,598 $ 10,620 Intangible assets acquired (see Note 7) 5,880 1,000 5,500 Sale of subsidiaries/businesses (see Note 7) - (4,233) (122) Amortization expense (1,333) (1,243) (1,400) Balance at end of year $ 14,669 $ 10,122 $ 14,598 As discussed in Note 7, in connection with the acquisition of PetPartners in 2017, the Company recorded $9,124,000 of goodwill and $5,880,000 of intangible assets associated with the Specialty Health segment. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes. The intangible assets primarily represent the fair value of customer relationships and are being amortized over a weighted average period of 9.6 years. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands): Amortization Year Expense 2018 $ 1,506 2019 1,138 2020 862 2021 667 2022 579

Reinsurance _Text Block_

Reinsurance [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Reinsurance	Note 9. Reinsurance The Insurance Group reinsures portions of certain business in order to limit the assumption of disproportionate risks. Amounts not retained are ceded to other companies on an automatic or facultative basis. In addition, the Insurance Group participates in various coinsurance treaties on a quota share or excess basis. The Company is contingently liable with respect to reinsurance in the unlikely event that the assuming reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations. The ceding of reinsurance does not discharge the primary liability of the original insurer to the insured. The effects of reinsurance on premiums earned and insurance benefits, claims and reserves are shown below for the periods indicated (in thousands). ASSUMED CEDED GROSS FROM OTHER TO OTHER NET AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT Premiums Earned December 31, 2017 Accident and health $ 249,134 $ 7,574 $ 32,290 $ 224,418 Life and annuity 56,194 795 38,899 18,090 Property and liability 40,139 - 381 39,758 $ 345,467 $ 8,369 $ 71,570 $ 282,266 December 31, 2016 Accident and health $ 461,467 $ 19,744 $ 276,392 $ 204,819 Life and annuity 57,938 1,595 42,078 17,455 Property and liability 40,697 - 267 40,430 $ 560,102 $ 21,339 $ 318,737 $ 262,704 December 31, 2015 Accident and health $ 513,814 $ 28,822 $ 126,613 $ 416,023 Life and annuity 46,699 4,330 23,078 27,951 Property and liability 35,812 - 252 35,560 $ 596,325 $ 33,152 $ 149,943 $ 479,534 Insurance benefits, claims and reserves December 31, 2017 $ 199,063 $ 5,965 $ 69,974 $ 135,054 December 31, 2016 $ 335,968 $ (5,512) $ 185,225 $ 145,231 December 31, 2015 $ 365,634 $ 24,956 $ 83,412 $ 307,178 Effective January 1, 2016, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions was co-insured in connection with the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction (see Note 3). On July 31, 2015, Madison National Life and Standard Security Life together entered into a coinsurance and sale agreement with an unaffiliated reinsurer, National Guardian Life Insurance Company, to: (i) cede substantially all of their individual life and annuity policy blocks currently in run-off; and (ii) sell the related infrastructure associated with the administration of such policies. In 2016, a large block of assumed policies were novated, thereby relieving the Company of its liability with regards to those policies.

Liability for Future Policy Ben

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure	Note 10. Policy Benefits and Claims Policy benefits and claims is the liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses. It is comprised of unpaid claims and estimated IBNR reserves. Summarized below are the changes in the total liability for policy benefits and claims for the periods indicated (in thousands). 2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ 219,113 $ 245,443 $ 236,803 Less: reinsurance recoverable 88,853 65,362 78,531 Net balance at beginning of year 130,260 180,081 158,272 Amount assumed - - 10,343 Amount incurred, related to: Current year 147,603 155,044 294,390 Prior years (8,008) (5,496) (8,488) Total incurred 139,595 149,548 285,902 Amount paid, related to: Current year 80,839 78,159 169,488 Prior years 62,469 121,210 104,948 Total paid 143,308 199,369 274,436 Net balance at end of year 126,547 130,260 180,081 Plus: reinsurance recoverable 42,136 88,853 65,362 Balance at end of year $ 168,683 $ 219,113 $ 245,443 Since unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses are estimates, actual losses incurred may be more or less than the Company’s previously developed estimates and is referred to as either unfavorable or favorable development, respectively. The overall net favorable development of $8,008,000 in 2017 related to prior years consists of favorable developments of $3,742,000 in the group disability reserves, $3,084,000 in the other individual life, annuities and other reserves, and $2,607,000 in Medical Stop-Loss reserves, partially offset by an unfavorable development of $1,425,000 in the Specialty Health reserves. The overall net favorable development of $5,496,000 in 2016 related to prior years consists of favorable developments of $1,392,000 in the Specialty Health reserves, $2,728,000 in the group disability reserves and $1,728,000 in the other individual life, annuities and other reserves, partially offset by an unfavorable development of $352,000 in Medical Stop-Loss reserves. The overall net favorable development of $8,488,000 in 2015 related to prior years consists of favorable developments of $7,977,000 in the Specialty Health reserves and $4,464,000 in the group disability reserves, partially offset by an unfavorable development of $3,628,000 in Medical Stop-Loss reserves and $325,000 in other individual accident and health reserves. Specialty Health Segment The following tables provide undiscounted information about net incurred and paid claims development by accident year for significant short-duration contract liabilities for policy benefits and claims in our Specialty Health segment. All amounts are shown net of reinsurance. In addition, the tables present the total IBNR plus expected development on reported claims by accident year and the cumulative number of reported claims (in thousands, except number of reported claims). Refer to Note 1 for information on the methods we use to estimate IBNR plus expected development, as well as changes to those methodologies and assumptions. Five years of claims development data is presented for lines that are included in our Specialty Health segment since a majority of the claims are fully developed in that time. Certain information about incurred and paid claims is presented as supplementary information and unaudited where indicated. Specialty Health Segment –Claims Development December 31, 2017 Incurred Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance Incurred But Cumulative For the years ended December 31, Not Reported Number of Accident 2013 2014 2015 2016 Plus Expected Reported Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 Development Claims ( Actual ) 2013 $ 180,649 181,454 180,595 181,114 $ 181,113 $ 660 447,248 2014 146,060 140,139 141,869 142,110 1,739 405,798 2015 104,497 100,988 101,241 3,638 392,846 2016 85,426 86,446 7,835 441,619 2017 87,070 37,781 436,623 Total $ 597,980 Specialty Health Segment –Claims Development Cumulative Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 2013 $ 131,801 179,023 179,750 180,520 $ 180,453 2014 103,064 134,557 139,162 140,371 2015 70,090 94,757 97,603 2016 45,454 78,611 2017 49,289 Total $ 546,327 Outstanding policy benefits and claims payable before 2013, net of reinsurance 57 Total policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance $ 51,710 The claim frequency information consists of the count of claims submitted. Each claim was counted as one claim whether or not multiple claim lines were submitted with that claim, and each claim was counted whether or not it resulted in a liability. For those portions of business that did not have claim records readily available, a reasonable count assumption was made based on a comparison to the known records of a similar business type. Cumulative claim count information is not a precise tool for calculating claim severity. Factors, such as changes in provider billing practices, the mix of services, benefit designs or processing systems could impact this type of analysis. The Company does not necessarily use the cumulative number of reported claims disclosed above in its claims analysis but has provided this information to comply with accounting standards. The following is supplementary information about the average historical policy claims duration for the Specialty Health segment as of December 31, 2017: Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Specialty Health Segment 64.7% 27.7% 2.2% 0.6% 0.0% The liability for policy benefits and claims associated with the Company’s health insurance lines are embedded within the Specialty Health segment. The table below summarizes the components of the change in the liability for policy benefits and claims that are specific to the health insurance claims that are included in our Specialty Health segment for the periods indicated (in thousands). Specialty Health Segment Health Insurance Claims 2017 2016 2015 (unaudited) Balance at beginning of year $ 27,183 $ 23,425 $ 35,620 Less: reinsurance recoverable 1,179 1,362 3,584 Net balance at beginning of year 26,004 22,063 32,036 Amount incurred, related to: Current year 54,333 44,243 63,122 Prior years 158 (4,702) (8,410) Total incurred 54,491 39,541 54,712 Amount paid, related to: Current year 24,370 19,371 42,419 Prior years 23,983 16,229 22,266 Total paid 48,353 35,600 64,685 Net balance at end of year 32,142 26,004 22,063 Plus: reinsurance recoverable 762 1,179 1,362 Balance at end of year $ 32,904 $ 27,183 $ 23,425 The liability for the IBNR plus expected development on reported claims associated with the Company’s health insurance claims was $32,142,000 at December 31, 2017. The incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses, net, for the 2013 accident year include the acquisition of $15,384,000 of disability policy benefits and claims liabilities from a Receivership. Claim frequency information consists of the count of unique claims where a benefit has been paid, whether that benefit was paid for one month or multiple months. Any claims where a benefit has not been paid are not in the count. Cumulative claim count information is not a precise tool for calculating claim severity. Changes in reinsurance and other factors, such as those described in Note 1, could impact this type of analysis with regards to our group disability business. The Company does not necessarily use the cumulative number of reported claims disclosed above in its claims analysis but has provided this information to comply with accounting standards. Unpaid claim liabilities related to our group disability policies is presented at present value. The following is additional information on unpaid claims liabilities presented at present value (in thousands): Carrying Value of Aggregate Amount Unpaid Claim Liabilities of Discount December 31, December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Group disability $ 60,724 $ 60,194 $ 11,707 $ 11,475 Discount rates for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 ranged from 3% to 6%. Insurance benefits, claims and reserves on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, include the accretion of interest amounting to $1,706,000, $1,571,000 and $1,451,000, respectively. The following is supplementary information about the average historical claims duration for our group disability business as of December 31, 2017: Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Group disability 18.3% 22.5% 7.4% 3.5% 2.4% 1.4% 1.0% 0.4% The following table reconciles the above disclosures of undiscounted net incurred and paid claims development for significant short-duration contract liabilities to the liability for policy benefits and claims on the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands). December 31, 2017 Net outstanding balances: Specialty Health Segment $ 51,710 DBL 6,579 Group disability 72,432 Other short-duration insurance lines 7,410 Policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance 138,131 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims: Specialty Health Segment 1,821 DBL 1,124 Group disability 26,849 Other short-duration insurance lines 6,168 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims 35,962 Insurance lines other than short-duration 6,297 Aggregate discount (11,707) Total policy benefit and claims $ 168,683

Long-term Debt _Text Block_

Long-term Debt [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Long-term Debt	Note 11. Debt and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities The Company has long term debt outstanding at December 31, 2017 or 2016. In 2016, the Company made aggregate cash payments of $38,146,000 to redeem all of its outstanding junior subordinated debt securities at the redemption price of 100%. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company also made aggregate cash payments of $4,789,000 and $2,617,000, respectively, for the repayment of other debt. Aggregate cash payments for interest on debt and junior subordinated debt securities totaled $0, $1,865,000 and $1,738,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Tax Disclosure _Text Blo

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Income Tax Disclosure	Note 12. Income Taxes IHC and its subsidiaries file a consolidated Federal income tax return on a June 30 fiscal year. The provision for income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income from continuing operations, as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income, is as follows for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 CURRENT: U.S. Federal $ (4,077) $ 4,637 $ 14,278 State and Local 29 473 1,012 (4,048) 5,110 15,290 DEFERRED: U.S. Federal (9,780) 4,390 673 State and Local 34 55 (59) (9,746) 4,445 614 $ (13,794) $ 9,555 $ 15,904 Taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate of 35%, attributable to pretax income, are reconciled to the Company's actual income tax expense as follows for the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Tax computed at the statutory rate $ 9,918 $ 11,223 $ 15,357 Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest (423) (641) (796) State and local income taxes, net of Federal effect 42 331 619 Subsidiary stock basis write-off (11,589) (3,903) - Health insurance excise tax - 146 526 Health insurer compensation limit 192 594 379 Impact of enacted tax reform 9,402 - - AMIC valuation allowance adjustment (20,261) - - Sharebased compensation (867) - - Other, net (208) 1,805 (181) Income tax expense $ (13,794) $ 9,555 $ 15,904 As a result of the winding down of operations and dissolution of IHC Administrative Services, Inc. (“IHC AS”), a subsidiary of IHC, in 2017, the Company recognized an estimated $11,589,000 income tax benefit on a worthless stock deduction of $33,110,000 representing the Company’s tax basis in its unrecovered investment in IHC AS. In 2016, as a result of the dissolution of Health Plan Administrators, Inc. (“HPA”), a subsidiary of IHC, income tax benefits of approximately $3,903,000 were also recognized on a worthless stock deduction of $11,150,000 representing the Company’s tax basis in its unrecovered investment in HPA. On December 22, 2017, President Trump enacted tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. We are required to recognize the income tax effect of a change in tax rates in the period the tax rate change was enacted. As the result of IHC’s June 30 fiscal tax year, the Tax Act subjects IHC to a blended tax rate of 28% for its fiscal tax year ended June 30, 2018. Due to IHC’s NOL carryforward position at December 31, 2017, there was no impact of the Tax Act’s blended tax rate on current income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recorded a one-time, non-cash charge to deferred income tax expense of $9,402,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Temporary differences between the Consolidated Financial Statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized below (in thousands). The net deferred tax asset or liability is included in Other Assets or Other Liabilities, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. IHC and its subsidiaries, excluding AMIC and its subsidiaries, considered the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in determining that a valuation allowance was not necessary on their deferred tax assets at December 31, 2017 or 2016. The net deferred tax asset relative to AMIC and its subsidiaries included in other assets on IHC’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $18,602,000 and $15,427,000, respectively. 2017 2016 DEFERRED TAX ASSETS: Unrealized losses on investment securities $ 1,222 $ 3,851 Investment write-downs 48 596 Loss carryforwards 30,928 50,735 Other 1,938 4,322 Total gross deferred tax assets 34,136 59,504 Less AMIC valuation allowance (9,394) (35,918) Net deferred tax assets 24,742 23,586 DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES: Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs (105) (114) Insurance reserves (3,252) (4,947) Goodwill and intangible assets (4,115) (5,274) Other (1,625) (4,097) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (9,097) (14,432) Net deferred tax asset $ 15,645 $ 9,154 As of December 31, 2017, IHC, excluding AMIC and its subsidiaries, had a Federal NOL carryforward of approximately $338,000 at December 31, 2017, which expires in 2037. At December 31, 2017, AMIC and its subsidiaries had Federal SRLY NOL carryforwards of approximately $144,830,000, which expire in varying amounts through the year 2034, with a significant portion expiring in 2020. As a result of the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction (see Note 3), AMIC utilized approximately $109,055,000 of its operating loss carryforwards in 2016. In 2017, the Company decreased AMIC’s valuation allowance by $20,261,000 for an increase in projected income and associated utilization of Federal net operating losses allocated to operations and by $6,263,000 as a result of the change in enacted tax rates. AMIC’s valuation allowance at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards that, in the judgment of management, were not considered realizable. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management believes that it is more likely than not that IHC and its subsidiaries, including AMIC and its subsidiaries, will realize the benefits of these net deferred tax assets recorded at December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, IHC and its subsidiaries, and AMIC and its subsidiaries, believe there were no material uncertain tax positions that would require disclosure under U.S. GAAP. Interest expense and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are insignificant. Tax years ending June 30, 2014 and forward are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s 2015 consolidated income tax return was selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Net cash payments (receipts) for income taxes were $397,000, $12,585,000 and $10,974,000 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Stockholders' Equity Note Discl

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure	Note 13. Stockholders’ Equity Treasury Stock In 1991, IHC initiated a program of repurchasing shares of its common stock. In August 2016, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares that can be repurchased to 3,000,000 shares of IHC common stock. At December 31, 2017, there were 1,991,058 shares still authorized to be repurchased under the plan authorized by the Board of Directors. In 2017, the Company repurchased 2,289,502 shares of its common stock for an aggregate cost of $46,527,000. Of that amount, 703,000 shares were repurchased in private transactions for an aggregate cost of $13,975,000; 1,385,118 shares were repurchased for an aggregate cost of $27,702,000 pursuant to the terms of a tender offer; and the remaining shares were repurchased in the open market. In 2017, the Company reissued 72,312 shares previously held in treasury. Of that amount, 69,012 shares were reissued to satisfy net-share settlements of option exercises during the period. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The components of other comprehensive income (loss) include the after-tax net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale, including the subsequent increases and decreases in fair value of available-for-sale securities previously impaired and the non-credit related component of other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities. Changes in the balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), shown net of taxes, for the years indicated were as follows (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Beginning balance $ (6,964) $ (3,440) $ 22 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 4,892 (1,582) (256) Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI (1,711) (1,926) (3,206) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 3,181 (3,508) (3,462) Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - (118) (5) Acquired from noncontrolling interests - 102 5 Reclassification of the stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (815) - - Ending balance $ (4,598) $ (6,964) $ (3,440) Presented below are the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings for each of the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities reclassified during the period to the following income statement line items: Net realized investment gains $ 2,640 $ 4,538 $ 5,202 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Income before income tax 2,640 3,063 4,974 Tax effect 929 1,137 1,768 Net income $ 1,711 $ 1,926 $ 3,206

Compensation and Employee Benef

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans	Note 14. Share-Based Compensation IHC and AMIC each have a share-based compensation plan. The following is a summary of the activity pertaining to each of these plans. (A) IHC Share-Based Compensation Plan In November 2016, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan"). The 2016 Plan permits grants of options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted share units, unrestricted shares, deferred share units and performance awards. Under the terms of the 2016 Plan: (i) the exercise price of an option may not be less than the fair market value of an IHC share on the grant date and the terms of an option may not exceed 10 years from the grant date; and (ii) the exercise price of a SAR may not be less than the fair market value of an IHC share on the grant date and SAR terms may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. In general, the vesting period for an option grant is 3 years. Restricted share units are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and generally vest over 3 years. Compensation costs for options and restricted share units are recognized over the stated vesting periods on a straight-line basis. The fair value of a SAR is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model at the grant date and each subsequent reporting period until settlement. Compensation cost is based on the proportionate amount of the requisite service that has been rendered to date. Once fully vested, changes in the fair value of a SAR continue to be recognized as compensation expense in the period of the change until settlement. The Company accounts for forfeitures of share-based compensation awards in the period that they occur. At December 31, 2017, there were 859,300 shares available for future stock-based compensation grants under the 2016 Plan. The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income, applicable to the IHC plans (by award type) for each of the years indicated (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 IHC’s Share-based Compensation Plan: Stock options $ 224 $ 181 $ 55 Restricted stock units 116 83 89 SARs 454 435 13 Share-based compensation expense, pre-tax 794 699 157 Tax benefits 316 279 63 Share-based compensation expense, net $ 478 $ 420 $ 94 Stock Options The Company’s stock option activity during 2017 was as follows: Shares Weighted- Average Under Option Exercise Price December 31, 2016 697,180 $ 11.75 Granted 199,000 26.72 Exercised (203,800) 9.82 December 31, 2017 692,380 $ 16.62 The weighted average grant-date fair-values of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $8.66 and $2.65, respectively. options were granted in 2015. The assumptions set forth in the table below were used to value the stock options granted during the periods indicated: 2017 2016 Weighted-average risk-free interest rate 2.02% 1.87% Expected annual dividend rate per share 0.58% 0.60% Expected volatility factor of the Company's common stock 37.44% 12.95% Weighted-average expected term of options 4.5 years 4.5 years In 2017, IHC received cash from the exercise of stock options, as option exercises were net settled in IHC shares. As part of the net-share settlements in 2017, cash outflows to satisfy employees’ income tax withholding obligations amounted to $1,659,000. Stock options exercised in 2017 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $3,535,000 and IHC realized $834,000 of tax benefits. In 2016, option agreements affecting 13 employees were modified to extend the expirations of their terms from 2017 to 2019 and as a result, the Company recorded incremental compensation costs of $170,000. In 2016, IHC received $399,000 in cash from the exercise of stock options with an aggregate intrinsic value of $416,000 and realized $104,000 of tax benefits. In 2015, IHC received $278,000 in cash from the exercise of stock options with an aggregate intrinsic value of $132,000 and realized $22,000 of tax benefits. The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and exercisable: December 31, 2017 Outstanding Exercisable Number of options 692,380 388,713 Weighted average exercise price per share $ 16.62 $ 10.55 Aggregate intrinsic value for all options (in thousands) $ 7,499 $ 6,568 Weighted average contractual term remaining 2.8 years 1.4 years At December 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to IHC’s non-vested stock options was $1,904,000 and it is expected to be recognized as compensation expense over a weighted average period of 2.4 years. Restricted Stock The following table summarizes IHC’s restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2016: No. of Weighted-Average Non-vested Grant-Date Shares Fair Value December 31, 2016 17,325 $ 16.20 Granted 9,900 28.20 Vested (8,250) 15.18 December 31, 2017 18,975 $ 22.91 IHC granted 9,900, 9,900 and 7,425 of restricted stock units during each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with weighted-average grant-date fair values of $28.20, $19.15 and $11.78 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $187,000, $120,000 and $89,000, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock unit awards was $398,000 which is expected to be recognized as compensation expense over a weighted average period of 2.2 years. SARs and Share-Based Performance Awards IHC had 64,900 and 71,500 SAR awards outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In 2017, 64,900 shares were granted; and 71,500 shares were exercised with an aggregate intrinsic value of $1,309,000. In 2016, 54,350 SARs were exercised with an aggregate intrinsic value of $449,000. In 2015, 11,000 SARs were exercised with an aggregate intrinsic value of $61,000. Included in Other Liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are liabilities of $22,000 and $876,000, respectively, pertaining to SARs. (B) AMIC Share-Based Compensation Plans As a result of a short-form merger discussed in Note 1 (B), AMIC’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (“AMIC 2009 Plan”) was terminated in 2016. Under the terms of the AMIC 2009 Plan, prior to its termination, option exercise prices were equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms were a maximum of ten years; and vesting periods generally ranged from three to four years. The fair value of an option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, AMIC recorded $14,000 and $28,000 of share-based compensation expense, respectively, net of tax benefits of $7,000, and $15,000, respectively. In 2016, AMIC received $262,000 in cash from the exercise of stock options with an aggregate intrinsic value of $212,000. In connection with the short-form merger transaction discussed in Note 1 (B), option agreements affecting 7 employees and directors were cancelled and as a result, the Company recorded incremental compensation costs of $646,000. These costs were accounted for as part of the equity transaction to take AMIC private. In 2015, AMIC received $52,000 in cash from the exercise of stock options with an aggregate intrinsic value of $37,000.

Commitments and Contingencies D

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies Certain subsidiaries of the Company are obligated under non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office space. Total rental expense for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015 for operating leases was $2,117,000, $2,316,000 and $3,088,000, respectively. The approximate minimum annual rental payments under operating leases that have remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): 2018 $ 2,251 2019 1,953 2020 1,929 2021 1,460 2022 1,125 2023 and thereafter 195 Total $ 8,913 We are involved in legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our businesses. We have established reserves that we believe are sufficient given information presently available relating to our outstanding legal proceedings and claims. We do not anticipate that the result of any pending legal proceeding or claim will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or cash flows, although there could be such an effect on our results of operations for any particular period. A third party administrator with whom we formerly did business (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint dated May 17, 2017 in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, naming IHC, Madison National Life, Standard Security Life, and IHC Carrier Solutions, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Defendants”). The Complaint concerns agreements entered into by Standard Security Life and Madison National Life with Plaintiff, as well as other allegations made by Plaintiff against the Defendants. The Complaint seeks injunctive relief and damages in an amount exceeding $50,000,000, profit share payments allegedly owed to Plaintiff under the agreements totaling at least $3,082,000 through 2014, plus additional amounts for 2015 and 2016, and exemplary and punitive damages as allowed by law and fees and costs. The Defendants believe these claims to be without merit. The Defendants moved to Compel Arbitration and Dismiss or Stay the original Complaint. The Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint on August 18, 2017. The Defendants filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration or Stay the Amended Complaint, which is still pending. Madison National Life and Standard Security Life have demanded arbitration against this third party administrator. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Madison National Life paid fines in the state of Texas primarily related to the claims payment practices of the Plaintiff.

Concentration Risk Disclosure _

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Concentration Risk Disclosure	Note 16. Concentration of Credit Risk At December 31, 2017, the Company had investment securities of any one issuer or in any one industry which exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity, except for investments in obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs, as summarized in Note 4. Fixed maturities with carrying values of $12,819,000 and $12,577,000 were on deposit with various state insurance departments at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the Company had reinsurance recoverable from the following reinsurers that individually exceed 10% of stockholders’ equity (in thousands): AM Best Due from Reinsurer Rating Reinsurer National Guardian Life Insurance Company A- $ 223,402 Guggenheim Life and Annuity Company B++ 96,664 The Company believes that these receivables are fully collectible.

Dividend Payment Restrictions _

Dividend Payment Restrictions [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Dividend Payment Restrictions	Note 17. Dividend Payment Restrictions and Statutory Information Our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by state laws and regulations as to the amount of dividends they may pay to their parent without regulatory approval in any year. Any dividends in excess of limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require approval. Based on statutory results as of December 31, 2017, in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries could pay dividends of approximately $23,606,000 in 2018 without obtaining regulatory approval. There are no regulatory restrictions on the ability of our holding company, IHC, to pay dividends. Under Delaware law, IHC is permitted to pay dividends from surplus or net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Dividends to shareholders are paid from funds available at the corporate holding company level. Non-“extraordinary” dividend payments were as follows: (i) Madison National Life declared and paid cash dividends of $11,000,000, $5,290,000 and $4,600,000 to its parent in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively; (ii) Standard Security Life declared and paid dividends of $7,000,000, $12,500,000 and $6,000,000 to its parent in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively; and (iii) Independence American declared and paid $0 dividends to its parent in 2017, 2016 or 2015. IHC declared cash dividends of $2,392,000 in 2017, $1,800,000 in 2016 and $1,562,000 in 2015. In December 2016, regulatory approvals were received for the following “extraordinary” dividend payments: (i) Madison National Life declared and paid an “extraordinary” dividend in the amount of $10,546,000 to its parent; and (ii) Standard Security Life declared and paid an “extraordinary” dividend in the amount of $60,000,000 to its parent. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance department of their state of domicile. Statutory accounting practices differ from U.S. GAAP in several respects causing differences in reported net income and stockholder’s equity. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries have no permitted accounting practices, which encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed that have been specifically allowed by the state insurance authorities. The statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus for each of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory net income: Madison National Life $ 12,794 $ (1,615) $ 20,326 Standard Security Life 3,555 (10,480) 13,198 Independence American 8,728 4,048 2,960 December 31, 2017 2016 Statutory capital and surplus: Madison National Life $ 179,648 $ 178,978 Standard Security Life 65,600 70,620 Independence American 72,083 66,812 The insurance subsidiaries are also required to maintain certain minimum amounts of statutory surplus to satisfy their various state insurance departments of domicile. Risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements are designed to assess capital adequacy and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholders. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the statutory capital of our insurance subsidiaries is significantly in excess of their regulatory RBC requirements.

Segment Reporting Disclosure _T

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Segment Reporting Disclosure	Note 18. Segment Reporting The Insurance Group principally engages in the life and health insurance business. Interest expense, taxes, and general expenses associated with parent company activities are included in Corporate. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets that are utilized in each segment and are allocated based upon the mean reserves and liabilities of each such segment. Corporate assets are composed principally of cash equivalents, resale agreements, fixed maturities, equity securities, partnership interests and certain other investments. Information by business segment is presented below for the years indicated (in thousands). 2017 2016 2015 Revenues: Specialty Health $ 203,810 $ 173,147 $ 185,912 Group disability; life and DBL 106,927 103,535 90,314 Individual life, annuities and other (A) 2,139 2,756 27,119 Medical Stop-Loss (A) 2,607 25,614 214,139 Corporate 2,472 2,925 205 317,955 307,977 517,689 Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture - - 9,940 Net realized investment gains 2,539 4,502 3,094 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Total revenues $ 320,494 $ 311,004 $ 530,495 Income from continuing operations before income taxes: Specialty Health (B) $ 13,207 $ 7,202 $ 6,490 Group disability; life and DBL 18,278 17,904 15,811 Individual life, annuities and other (A) (C) (513) (2,540) (122) Medical Stop-Loss (A) 2,839 16,733 18,828 Corporate (8,014) (8,727) (8,137) 25,797 30,572 32,870 Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture - - 9,940 Net realized investment gains 2,539 4,502 3,094 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Interest expense - (1,534) (1,798) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 28,336 $ 32,065 $ 43,878 (A) Substantially all of the business in the segment is coinsured. Activity in this segment primarily reflects income or expenses related to the coinsurance and the run-off of any remaining blocks that were not coinsured. (B) The Specialty Health segment includes amortization of intangible assets recorded as a result of purchase accounting for previous acquisitions. Total amortization expense was $1,333,000, $1,243,000 and $1,488,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There is no amortization expense attributable to the other segments. (C) The Individual life, annuities and other segment includes amortization of deferred charges in connection with the assumptions of certain ceded life and annuity policies amounting to $1,196,000, $2,340,000 and $1,323,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. December 31, 2017 2016 IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AT YEAR END Specialty Health $ 223,896 $ 172,275 Group disability; life and DBL 246,877 243,421 Individual life, annuities and other 363,693 363,119 Medical Stop-Loss 78,234 200,026 Corporate 127,923 155,623 $ 1,040,623 $ 1,134,464

Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Quarterly Financial Information	Note 19. Quarterly Data (Unaudited) The quarterly results of operations for the years indicated are summarized below (in thousands, except per share data): FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER 2017 Total revenues $ 71,840 $ 82,237 $ 83,752 $ 82,665 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 5,009 $ 14,307 $ 5,213 $ 17,601 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - - - - Net income 5,009 14,307 5,213 17,601 (Income) loss from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests (62) 26 32 (23) (Income) from redeemable noncontrolling interests (11) (2) (16) (32) Net income attributable to IHC $ 4,936 $ 14,331 $ 5,229 $ 17,546 Basic income per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.30 $ 0.88 $ 0.35 $ 1.18 Income from discontinued operations - - - - Basic income per common share $ 0.30 $ 0.88 $ 0.35 $ 1.18 Diluted income per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.29 $ 0.86 $ 0.34 $ 1.16 Income from discontinued operations - - - - Diluted income per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.86 $ 0.34 $ 1.16 FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER 2016 Total revenues $ 75,895 $ 77,696 $ 78,542 $ 78,871 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 5,896 $ 4,495 $ 4,366 $ 7,753 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 109,770 142 - 892 Net income 115,666 4,637 4,366 8,645 Less income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (9,656) (201) (43) (116) Net income attributable to IHC $ 106,010 $ 4,436 $ 4,323 $ 8,529 Basic income per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.34 $ 0.25 $ 0.25 $ 0.45 Income from discontinued operations 5.81 0.01 0.00 0.05 Basic income per common share $ 6.15 $ 0.26 $ 0.25 $ 0.50 Diluted income per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.25 $ 0.25 $ 0.44 Income from discontinued operations 5.75 0.01 0.00 0.05 Diluted income per common share $ 6.08 $ 0.26 $ 0.25 $ 0.49

Summary of Investments, Other t

Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties	SCHEDULE I INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS – OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) AMOUNT SHOWN IN BALANCE TYPE OF INVESTMENT COST VALUE SHEET FIXED MATURITIES - AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Bonds: United States Government and Government agencies and authorities $ 95,411 $ 94,810 $ 94,810 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 182,664 179,643 179,643 Foreign governments 4,227 4,150 4,150 Public utilities 15,865 15,717 15,717 All other corporate bonds 139,988 137,407 137,407 Redeemable preferred stock 10,006 10,185 10,185 TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES 448,161 441,912 441,912 EQUITY SECURITIES - AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND TRADING: Common stocks: Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 2,612 2,490 2,490 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 3,588 3,630 3,630 TOTAL EQUITY SECURITIES 6,200 6,120 6,120 Short-term investments and resale agreements 10,319 10,319 10,319 Other long-term investments 18,547 18,547 18,547 TOTAL INVESTMENTS $ 483,227 $ 476,898 $ 476,898

Condensed Financial Information

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure	SCHEDULE II INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) DECEMBER 31, 2017 2016 ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,304 $ 3,667 Short-term investments - 3,500 Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 27,270 48,819 Investments in consolidated subsidiaries 445,697 425,677 Other assets 235 408 TOTAL ASSETS $ 475,506 $ 482,071 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 8,886 $ 8,732 Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries, net 25,318 28,697 Income taxes payable 3,411 4,236 Dividends payable 1,583 1,082 Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations - 68 TOTAL LIABILITIES 39,198 42,815 Redeemable noncontrolling interest 2,065 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock (none issued) (A) - - Common stock (B) 18,625 18,620 Paid-in capital 124,538 126,468 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,598) (6,964) Treasury stock, at cost (C) (63,404) (17,483) Retained earnings 356,383 315,918 TOTAL IHC’S STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 431,544 436,559 NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 2,699 2,697 TOTAL EQUITY 434,243 439,256 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 475,506 $ 482,071 (A) (B) (C) The financial information of Independence Holding Company (Parent Company Only) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. SCHEDULE II (Continued) INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 2017 2016 2015 REVENUES: Net investment income $ 576 $ 146 $ 112 Net realized investment gains (losses) 189 (121) (506) Other income 1,533 1,619 1,800 2,298 1,644 1,406 EXPENSES: Interest expense on debt - 1,443 1,567 General and administrative expenses 7,675 8,837 5,506 7,675 10,280 7,073 Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefits and equity in net income from continuing operations of subsidiaries (5,377) (8,636) (5,667) Equity in net income from continuing operations of subsidiaries 44,854 28,843 32,118 Income from continuing operations before income tax benefits 39,477 20,207 26,451 Income tax (benefits) (2,653) (2,303) (1,523) Income from continuing operations, net of tax 42,130 22,510 27,974 Discontinued operations (Note 3): Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes - 117,617 4,310 Income taxes on discontinued operations - 6,813 1,762 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 110,804 2,548 Net income 42,130 133,314 30,522 Less income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (88) (10,016) (578) Net income attributable to IHC 42,042 123,298 29,944 Comprehensive Income: Net income 42,130 133,314 30,522 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 73 114 (51) Equity in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities of subsidiaries 3,108 (3,622) (3,411) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,181 (3,508) (3,462) Comprehensive income, net of tax 45,311 129,806 27,060 Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (88) (10,134) (583) Comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to IHC $ 45,223 $ 119,672 $ 26,477 The financial information of Independence Holding Company (Parent Company Only) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. SCHEDULE II (Continued) INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 2017 2016 2015 CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 42,130 $ 133,314 $ 30,522 Adjustments to net income: Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax - (110,337) - Equity in net income of subsidiaries, including discontinued operations (44,854) (28,843) (34,698) Other 2,521 3,396 9,204 Changes in other assets and liabilities (3,121) (1,939) 550 Net change in cash from operating activities (3,324) (4,409) 5,578 CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Change in investments in and advances to subsidiaries (A) 26,847 81,762 12,398 Net (purchases) sales and maturities of short-term investments 3,499 (3,501) - Purchases of fixed maturities (46,605) (94,850) (20,857) Sales of fixed maturities 63,568 70,745 5,915 Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities 4,640 - - Other investing activities - (2,995) - Net change in cash from investing activities 51,949 51,161 (2,544) CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repurchases of common stock (46,401) (3,925) (1,820) Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests - (486) - Repayments of debt - (38,146) - Dividends paid (1,928) (1,553) (1,392) Payments related to tax withholding for sharebased compensation (1,659) - - Other financing activities - 513 301 Net change in cash from financing activities (49,988) (43,597) (2,911) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (1,363) 3,155 123 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 3,667 512 389 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 2,304 $ 3,667 $ 512 (A) The financial information of Independence Holding Company (Parent Company Only) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

Supplementary Insurance Informa

Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure	SCHEDULE III INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION (in thousands) FUTURE POLICY INSURANCE AMORTIZATION SELLING DEFERRED BENEFITS, NET NET BENEFITS, OF DEFERRED GENERAL & NET ACQUISITION LOSSES & UNEARNED PREMIUMS INVESTMENT CLAIMS & ACQUISTION ADMINISTRATIVE PREMIUMS COSTS (1) CLAIMS PREMIUMS EARNED INCOME (2) RESERVES COSTS (1) EXPENSES (3) WRITTEN December 31, 2017 Specialty Health $ - 53,859 3,292 181,851 5,299 84,380 - 106,223 $ 179,164 Group disability; life and DBL - 137,765 3,193 99,953 6,469 52,792 - 35,857 99,495 Individual life, annuities and other - 333,105 181 210 1,536 241 - 2,411 209 Medical Stop-Loss - 2,257 - 252 1,111 (2,359) - 2,127 253 Corporate - - - - 1,861 - - 10,486 - $ - 526,986 6,666 282,266 16,276 135,054 - 157,104 $ 279,121 December 31, 2016 Specialty Health $ - 50,943 6,320 154,397 3,272 81,215 - 84,730 $ 154,333 Group disability; life and DBL - 137,428 3,305 96,190 6,469 52,245 - 33,386 96,454 Individual life, annuities and other - 341,181 161 47 2,255 1,344 - 3,952 46 Medical Stop-Loss - 54,760 - 12,070 1,700 10,427 - (1,546) 12,070 Corporate - - - - 2,874 - - 11,652 - $ - 584,312 9,786 262,704 16,570 145,231 - 132,174 $ 262,903 December 31, 2015 Specialty Health $ - 42,165 7,005 171,912 1,813 93,916 - 85,506 $ 171,731 Group disability; life and DBL - 141,837 3,060 85,953 3,699 47,646 - 26,857 86,304 Individual life, annuities and other - 405,327 171 11,904 7,146 11,697 - 15,544 11,901 Medical Stop-Loss - 100,088 - 209,765 4,374 153,919 - 41,392 209,765 Corporate - - - - 205 - - 8,342 - $ - 689,417 10,236 479,534 17,237 307,178 - 177,641 $ 479,701 (1) (2) (3)

Supplemental Schedule of Reinsu

Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes
Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies	SCHEDULE IV INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY REINSURANCE (In thousands) PERCENTAGE ASSUMED CEDED OF AMOUNT GROSS FROM OTHER TO OTHER NET ASSUMED AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT TO NET Life Insurance In-Force December 31, 2017 $ 13,770,999 $ 7,054 $ 6,878,689 $ 6,899,364 0.1% December 31, 2016 $ 12,466,127 $ 7,848 $ 6,303,742 $ 6,170,233 0.1% December 31, 2015 $ 12,063,911 $ 129,231 $ 6,365,993 $ 5,827,149 2.2% Premiums Earned December 31, 2017 Accident and health $ 249,134 $ 7,574 $ 32,290 $ 224,418 3.4% Life and annuity 56,194 795 38,899 18,090 4.4% Property and liability (1) 40,139 - 381 39,758 0.0% $ 345,467 $ 8,369 $ 71,570 $ 282,266 3.0% December 31, 2016 Accident and health $ 461,467 $ 19,744 $ 276,392 $ 204,819 9.6% Life and annuity 57,938 1,595 42,078 17,455 9.1% Property and liability (1) 40,697 - 267 40,430 0.0% $ 560,102 $ 21,339 $ 318,737 $ 262,704 8.1% December 31, 2015 Accident and health $ 513,814 $ 28,822 $ 126,613 $ 416,023 6.9% Life and annuity 46,699 4,330 23,078 27,951 15.5% Property and liability (1) 35,812 - 252 35,560 0.0% $ 596,325 $ 33,152 $ 149,943 $ 479,534 6.9% (1)

Organization, Consolidation, 32

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Basis of Accounting, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Basis of Accounting, Policy	The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of IHC and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect: (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (ii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On March 31, 2016, the Company sold Risk Solutions, its managing general underwriter of excess or stop-loss insurance for self-insured employer groups that desire to manage the risk of large medical claims (“Medical Stop-Loss”). In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions was 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016. IHC’s block of medical stop-loss business is in run-off. The sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The disposal transaction qualified for reporting as discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Board of Directors commitment to a plan for its disposal in January 2016. The assets, liabilities, and related income and expenses associated with the disposal group are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto for all periods presented. The results of discontinued operations reflect the operations of the disposed managing general underwriters (see Note 3). The run-off of IHC’s remaining block of medical stop-loss business is in continuing operations. Effective September 1, 2015 (“Deconsolidation Date”), pursuant to the terms of a contribution agreement, IHC contributed all of its shares in its subsidiary, IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”) to Ebix Health Exchange, a newly formed joint venture with Ebix, Inc. (“Ebix”), and, as a result, IHC deconsolidated IHC Health Solutions (see Note 7). In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of IHC Health Solutions prior to the Deconsolidation Date. Subsequent to the Deconsolidation Date, the Company’s equity interest in the joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Organization, Consolidation, 33

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value, and include principally interest-bearing deposits at brokers, money market instruments and U.S. Treasury securities with original maturities of less than 91 days. Investments with original maturities of 91 days to one year are considered short-term investments and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Organization, Consolidation, 34

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy	Securities purchased under agreements to resell ("resale agreements") are carried at the amounts at which the securities will be subsequently resold as specified in the agreements. Resale agreements are utilized to invest excess funds on a short-term basis. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $10,269,000 invested in resale agreements, all of which settled on January 2 ,

Organization, Consolidation, 35

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Investment, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Investment, Policy	(F) Investment Securities (i) (a) (b) (ii) (iii) The Company periodically reviews and assesses the vendor’s qualifications and the design and appropriateness of its pricing methodologies. Management will on occasion challenge pricing information on certain individual securities and, through communications with the vendor, obtain information about the assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing those securities, and corroborate it against documented pricing methodologies. Validation procedures are in place to determine completeness and accuracy of pricing information, including, but not limited to: (i) review of exception reports that (a) identify any zero or un-priced securities; (b) identify securities with no price change; and (c) identify securities with significant price changes; (ii) performance of trend analyses; (iii) periodic comparison of pricing to alternative pricing sources; and (iv) comparison of pricing changes to expectations based on rating changes, benchmarks or control groups. In certain circumstances, pricing is unavailable from the vendor and broker-pricing information is used to determine fair value. In these instances, management will assess the quality of the data sources, the underlying assumptions and the reasonableness of the broker quotes based on the current market information available. To determine if an exception represents an error, management will often have to exercise judgment. Procedures to resolve an exception vary depending on the significance of the security and its related class, the frequency of the exception, the risk of material misstatement, and the availability of information for the security. These procedures include, but are not limited to; (i) a price challenge process with the vendor; (ii) pricing from a different vendor; (iii) a reasonableness review; and (iv) a change in price based on better information, such as an actual market trade, among other things. Management considers all facts and relevant information obtained during the above procedures to determine the proper classification of each security in the Fair Value Hierarchy. (iv) The Company reviews its investment securities regularly and determines whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred. The factors considered by management in its regular review to identify and recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities include, but are not limited to: the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the Company's intent to sell, or be required to sell, the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; adverse changes in ratings announced by one or more rating agencies; subordinated credit support; whether the issuer of a debt security has remained current on principal and interest payments; current expected cash flows; whether the decline in fair value appears to be issuer specific or, alternatively, a reflection of general market or industry conditions including the effect of changes in market interest rates. If the Company intends to sell a debt security, or it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell a debt security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date would be recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. If a decline in fair value of a debt security is judged by management to be other-than-temporary and; (i) the Company does not intend to sell the security; and (ii) it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the security’s amortized cost, the Company assesses whether the present value of the cash flows to be collected from the security is less than its amortized cost basis. To the extent that the present value of the cash flows generated by a debt security is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists. For any such security, the impairment is bifurcated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income, establishing a new cost basis for the security. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). It is reasonably possible that further declines in estimated fair values of such investments, or changes in assumptions or estimates of anticipated recoveries and/or cash flows, may cause further other-than-temporary impairments in the near term, which could be significant. In assessing corporate debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company evaluates the ability of the issuer to meet its debt obligations and the value of the company or specific collateral securing the debt position. For mortgage-backed securities where loan level data is not available, the Company uses a cash flow model based on the collateral characteristics. Assumptions about loss severity and defaults used in the model are primarily based on actual losses experienced and defaults in the collateral pool. Prepayment speeds, both actual and estimated, are also considered. The cash flows generated by the collateral securing these securities are then determined with these default, loss severity and prepayment assumptions. These collateral cash flows are then utilized, along with consideration for the issue’s position in the overall structure, to determine the cash flows associated with the mortgage-backed security held by the Company. In addition, the Company evaluates other asset-backed securities for other-than-temporary impairment by examining similar characteristics referenced above for mortgage-backed securities. The Company evaluates U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations, U.S. Government agencies, and obligations of states and political subdivisions for other-than-temporary impairment by examining the terms and collateral of the security. Equity securities may experience other-than-temporary impairment in the future based on the prospects for full recovery in value in a reasonable period of time and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security to recovery. If a decline in fair value is judged by management to be other-than-temporary or management does not have the intent or ability to hold a security, a loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. For the purpose of other-than-temporary impairment evaluations, redeemable preferred stocks are evaluated in a manner similar to debt securities. Declines in the creditworthiness of the issuer of debt securities with both debt and equity-like features are evaluated using the equity model in consideration of other-than-temporary impairment. Subsequent increases and decreases, if not an other-than-temporary impairment, in the fair value of available-for-sale securities that were previously impaired, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). (G) Other Investments Other investments primarily consist of limited partnership interests carried on the equity method, which approximates the Company's equity in the underlying net assets of the partnership. Equity income or loss on partnership interests is credited or charged, as appropriate, to the Consolidated Statements of Income. For cost method investments, dividends received are recognized in earnings to the extent that they were distributed from the net accumulated earnings of the investee. Dividends received in excess of the investee’s net accumulated earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reductions of cost of the investment.

Organization, Consolidation, 36

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy	Improvements are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation of property and equipment has been provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements has been provided on the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Organization, Consolidation, 37

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	Goodwill carrying amounts are evaluated for impairment, at least annually, at the reporting unit level that is equivalent to an operating segment. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, further evaluation is required to determine if a write-down of goodwill is required. In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, we used an income approach, applying a discounted cash flow method that included a residual value. Based on historical experience, we make assumptions as to: (i) expected future performance and future economic conditions, (ii) projected operating earnings, (iii) projected new and renewal business as well as profit margins on such business, and (iv) a discount rate that incorporated an appropriate risk level for the reporting unit. Any impairment of goodwill would be charged to expense. Other intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated useful lives and are subject to impairment testing. Any impairment of other intangible assets would be charged to expense.

Organization, Consolidation, 38

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy	Policy Benefits and Claims The Company maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, where material, including legal, other fees, and costs not associated with specific claims but related to the claims payment function), for reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. These loss reserves are based on actuarial assumptions and are maintained at levels that are in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Many factors could affect these reserves, including economic and social conditions, frequency and severity of claims, medical trend resulting from the influences of underlying cost inflation, changes in utilization and demand for medical services, and changes in doctrines of legal liability and damage awards in litigation. Therefore, the Company’s reserves are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and analysis of historical experience. The Company’s results depend upon the variation between actual claims experience and the assumptions used in determining reserves and pricing products. Reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. The Company cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that will be paid for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The Company's estimate of loss represents management's best estimate of the Company's liability at the balance sheet date. Policy benefits and claims for the Company’s group disability products are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, future offsets and recoveries, elimination periods, interest rates, probability of rehabilitation or mortality, incidence and termination rates based on the Company’s experience. The liability for policy benefits and claims is made up of case reserves, IBNR and reopen reserves and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”). IBNR and reopen reserves are calculated by a hind-sight study, which takes historical experience and develops the reserve as a percentage of premiums from prior years. The two “primary” assumptions on which group disability reserves are based are: (i) morbidity levels; and (ii) recovery rates. If morbidity levels increase, for example due to an epidemic or a recessionary environment, the Company would increase reserves because there would be more new claims than expected. In regard to the assumed recovery rate, if disabled lives recover more quickly than anticipated then the existing claims reserves would be reduced; if less quickly, the existing claims reserves would be increased. Due to the long-term nature of LTD, in establishing the liability for policy benefits and claims, the Company must make estimates for case reserves, IBNR, and reserves for LAE. Case reserves generally equal the actuarial present value of the liability for future benefits to be paid on claims incurred as of the balance sheet date. The IBNR reserve is established based upon historical trends of existing incurred claims that were reported after the balance sheet date. The LAE reserve is calculated based on an actuarial expense study. There have been no significant changes to methodologies and assumptions from the prior year. Medical Stop-Loss Due to the sale of Risk Solutions, the Medical Stop-Loss segment is in run-off. The Company has $2.3 million in reserves at December 31, 2017. Liabilities for policy benefits and claims on medical stop-loss coverage are computed using completion factors and expected Net Loss Ratios derived from actual historical premium and claim data. Policy benefits and claims for medical stop-loss insurance are more volatile in nature than those for specialty health medical insurance. This is primarily due to the excess nature of medical stop-loss, with very high deductibles applying to specific claims on any individual claimant and in the aggregate for a given group. The level of these deductibles makes it more difficult to predict the amount and payment pattern of such claims. Furthermore, these excess claims are highly sensitive to changes in factors such as medical trend, provider contracts and medical treatment protocols, adding to the difficulty in predicting claim values and estimating reserves. Also, because medical stop-loss is in excess of an underlying benefit plan, there is an additional layer of claim reporting and processing that can affect claim payment patterns. Finally, changes in the distribution of business by effective month can affect reserve estimates due to the timing of claim occurrences and the time required to accumulate claims against the stop-loss deductible. Predicting ultimate claims and estimating reserves in Medical Stop-Loss is more complex than specialty health medical and disability business due to the “excess of loss” nature of these products with very high deductibles applying to specific claims on any individual claimant and in the aggregate for a given group. The level of these deductibles makes it more difficult to predict the amount and payment pattern of such claims. Fluctuations in results for specific coverage are primarily due to the severity and frequency of individual claims, whereas fluctuations in aggregate coverage are largely attributable to frequency of underlying claims rather than severity. Liabilities for first dollar medical reserves and disability coverages are computed using completion factors and expected Net Loss Ratios derived from actual historical premium and claim data. Due to the short-term nature of Medical Stop-Loss, redundancies or deficiencies will typically emerge during the course of the following year rather than over a number of years. For Medical Stop-Loss, as noted above, the Company maintains its reserves based on underlying assumptions until it determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on emerging experience from all of its prior underwriting years. Management believes that the Company's methods of estimating the liabilities for policy benefits and claims provided appropriate levels of reserves at December 31, 2017. Changes in the Company's policy benefits and claims estimates are generally recorded through a charge or credit to its earnings. There have been no significant changes to methodologies and assumptions from the prior year.

Organization, Consolidation, 39

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Future Policy Benefits Liability, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Future Policy Benefits Liability, Policy	Future Policy Benefits The liability for future policy benefits consists of the liabilities related to insured events for the Company’s long-duration contracts, primarily its life and annuity products. For traditional life insurance products, the Company computes the liability for future policy benefits primarily using the net premium method based on anticipated investment yield, mortality, and withdrawals. These methods are widely used in the life insurance industry to estimate the liabilities for future policy benefits. Inherent in these calculations are management and actuarial judgments and estimates that could significantly impact the ending reserve liabilities and, consequently, operating results. Actual results may differ, and these estimates are subject to interpretation and change. Management believes that the Company's methods of estimating the liabilities for future policy benefits provided appropriate levels of reserves at December 31, 2017. Changes in the Company's future policy benefits estimates are recorded through a charge or credit to its earnings.

Organization, Consolidation, 40

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Deposit Contracts, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Deposit Contracts, Policy	Funds received (net of mortality and expense charges) for certain long-duration contracts (principally deferred annuities and universal life policies) are credited directly to a policyholder liability account, funds on deposit. Withdrawals are recorded directly as a reduction of respective policyholders' funds on deposit. Amounts on deposit were credited at annual rates ranging from 3.0% to 6.0% in 2017, 3.0% to 6.0% in 2016, and 3.0% to 7.0% in 2015.

Organization, Consolidation, 41

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Other Policyholders' Funds, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Other Policyholders' Funds, Policy	Interest credited to policyholder funds represents interest accrued or paid on interest-sensitive life policies and investment policies. These amounts are reported in insurance benefits, claims and reserves on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Credit rates for certain annuities and interest-sensitive life policies are adjusted periodically by the Company to reflect current market conditions, subject to contractually guaranteed minimum rates.

Organization, Consolidation, 42

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Income Tax, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Income Tax, Policy	The provision for deferred income taxes is based on the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates to temporary differences between amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recognized for the portion of deferred tax assets that, in management's judgment, is not likely to be realized. A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded when it is more likely than not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates or laws is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company uses a portfolio approach to release income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The portfolio approach involves a strict period-by-period cumulative incremental allocation of income taxes to the change in unrealized gains and losses reflected in other comprehensive income. Under this approach, the net cumulative tax effect is ignored. The net change in unrealized gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income under this approach would be eliminated only on the date the entire inventory of available-for-sale securities is sold or otherwise disposed of. Interest and penalties, if any, are classified as other interest expense and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Organization, Consolidation, 43

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Reinsurance Accounting Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Reinsurance Accounting Policy	Amounts paid for or recoverable under reinsurance contracts are included in total assets or total liabilities as due from reinsurers or due to reinsurers. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies.

Organization, Consolidation, 44

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Insurance Premiums Revenue Recognition, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Insurance Premiums Revenue Recognition, Policy	Policies that do not subject the Company to significant risk arising from mortality or morbidity are considered investment contracts. Deposits received for such contracts are reported as other policyholder funds. Policy charges for investment contracts consist of fees assessed against the policyholder account for maintenance, administration and surrender of the policy prior to contractually specified dates, and are recognized when assessed against the policyholder account balance.

Organization, Consolidation, 45

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Earnings Per Share, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Earnings Per Share, Policy	Income per common share is computed using the treasury stock method.

Organization, Consolidation, 46

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	Compensation costs for liability-classified awards, such as share appreciation rights (“SARs”), are measured and accrued each reporting period in the Consolidated Statements of Income as the requisite service or performance conditions are met.

Organization, Consolidation, 47

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance allowing entities to reclassify, from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”). The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U. S. Federal corporate income tax rate in Tax Reform is recognized. The Company has elected to adopt the amendments in this Update on December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified the effect of the change in the U. S. Federal corporate income tax rate on its gross deferred tax amounts, and related valuation allowances, remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 to retained earnings. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance that amends the consolidation analysis for a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity. The amendments in this guidance require the decision maker’s evaluation of its interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis rather than in their entirety when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. New guidance related to the classifications in the statement of cash flows were applied on a prospective transition basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for retroactive adjustments on the date that a previously held investment qualifies for the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase in ownership interest or degree of influence. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. An allowance for credit losses will be deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected with changes in the allowance recorded in earnings. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than the currently applied U.S. GAAP method of taking a permanent impairment of the security, which would be limited to the amount by which fair value is below the amortized cost. Certain existing requirements used to evaluate credit losses have been removed. For public entities that are SEC filers, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in this guidance should be applied through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Management is evaluating the requirements and potential impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases, including operating leases, on the statement of financial position. The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values as trading or available-for-sale. The guidance requires equity securities, other than those that result in consolidation or are accounted for under the equity method, (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, simplifies the impairment assessment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values and requires changes in disclosure requirements. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update will be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) will be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption of the guidance. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or IHC’s stockholders’ equity. In May 2014, the FASB issued revenue recognition guidance for entities that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards such as insurance contracts or lease contracts. The amendment provides specific steps that an entity should apply in order to achieve its main objective which is recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In 2016, additional guidance and technical corrections were issued to clarify certain aspects of the implementation guidance and to clarify the identification of performance obligations. In August 2015, the effective date of this guidance was deferred. For public entities, this guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires one of two specified retrospective methods of application. The Company has substantially completed its process to implement this guidance and as a result, has determined that substantially all of our revenue sources are excluded from the scope of the standard. For those revenue sources within the scope of the standard (included in the Fee income line of the Consolidated Statement of Income), there were no material changes in the timing or measurement of revenues. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or required disclosures. The guidance will be applied retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment on the date of initial application.

Fair Value Disclosures _Text 48

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value Transfer, Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Policies
Fair Value Transfer, Policy	It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of a reporting period. The Company does not transfer out of Level 3 and into Level 2 until such time as observable inputs become available and reliable or the range of available independent prices narrow. The Company did not transfer any securities between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in 2017 or 2016.

Compensation and Employee Ben49

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	Compensation costs for liability-classified awards, such as share appreciation rights (“SARs”), are measured and accrued each reporting period in the Consolidated Statements of Income as the requisite service or performance conditions are met.
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	In November 2016, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan"). The 2016 Plan permits grants of options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted share units, unrestricted shares, deferred share units and performance awards. Under the terms of the 2016 Plan: (i) the exercise price of an option may not be less than the fair market value of an IHC share on the grant date and the terms of an option may not exceed 10 years from the grant date; and (ii) the exercise price of a SAR may not be less than the fair market value of an IHC share on the grant date and SAR terms may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. In general, the vesting period for an option grant is 3 years. Restricted share units are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and generally vest over 3 years. Compensation costs for options and restricted share units are recognized over the stated vesting periods on a straight-line basis. The fair value of a SAR is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model at the grant date and each subsequent reporting period until settlement. Compensation cost is based on the proportionate amount of the requisite service that has been rendered to date. Once fully vested, changes in the fair value of a SAR continue to be recognized as compensation expense in the period of the change until settlement. The Company accounts for forfeitures of share-based compensation awards in the period that they occur.

Organization, Consolidation, 50

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net	2017 2016 2015 Changes in IHC’s paid-in capital: Purchases of AMIC shares $ - $ (2,200) $ (199) Purchase remaining IPA Family, LLC interests - - 311 Net transfers from (to) noncontrolling interests $ - $ (2,200) $ 112

Organization, Consolidation, 51

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,465 $ 22,010 $ 17,500 Cash and cash equivalents attributable to discontinued operations - - 1,671 Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations $ 26,465 $ 22,010 $ 19,171

Earnings Per Share _Text Bloc52

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]: Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	2017 2016 2015 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 42,130 $ 22,510 $ 27,974 Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests (88) (458) (405) Income from continuing operations attributable to IHC common shareholders $ 42,042 $ 22,052 $ 27,569 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ - $ 110,804 $ 2,548 Less: Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests - (9,558) (173) Income from discontinued operations attributable to IHC common shareholders $ - $ 101,246 $ 2,375 Net income attributable to IHC $ 42,042 $ 123,298 $ 29,944

Disposal Groups, Including Di53

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]: Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	2017 2016 2015 Revenue $ - $ 6,406 $ 2,373 Selling, general and administrative expenses - 5,689 (1,937) Pretax profit of discontinued operations - 717 4,310 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, pretax - 116,900 - Income from discontinued operations before income taxes - 117,617 4,310 Income taxes on discontinued operations - 6,813 1,762 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ - $ 110,804 $ 2,548

Investments in Debt and Marke54

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	December 31, 2017 GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE FIXED MATURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Corporate securities $ 148,996 $ 298 $ (2,847) $ 146,447 CMOs - residential (1) 6,857 - (180) 6,677 U.S. Government obligations 85,510 - (396) 85,114 Agency MBS - residential (2) 14 - - 14 GSEs (3) 9,887 - (205) 9,682 States and political subdivisions 182,664 598 (3,619) 179,643 Foreign government obligations 4,227 13 (90) 4,150 Redeemable preferred stocks 10,006 179 - 10,185 Total fixed maturities $ 448,161 $ 1,088 $ (7,337) $ 441,912 EQUITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Common stocks $ 1,612 $ 388 $ - $ 2,000 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,588 60 (18) 3,630 Total equity securities $ 5,200 $ 448 $ (18) $ 5,630 December 31, 2016 GROSS GROSS AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE FIXED MATURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Corporate securities $ 192,976 $ 209 $ (5,490) $ 187,695 CMOs - residential (1) 6,021 8 (116) 5,913 U.S. Government obligations 43,417 133 (441) 43,109 Agency MBS - residential (2) 22 1 - 23 GSEs (3) 10,301 1 (422) 9,880 States and political subdivisions 191,146 780 (5,115) 186,811 Foreign government obligations 5,098 13 (157) 4,954 Redeemable preferred stocks 11,454 96 (448) 11,102 Total fixed maturities $ 460,435 $ 1,241 $ (12,189) $ 449,487 EQUITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Common stocks $ 1,612 $ 178 $ - $ 1,790 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,588 30 (75) 3,543 Total equity securities $ 5,200 $ 208 $ (75) $ 5,333 (1) (2) (3)

Investments in Debt and Marke55

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	AMORTIZED FAIR COST VALUE Due in one year or less $ 17,554 $ 17,492 Due after one year through five years 165,260 163,826 Due after five years through ten years 140,361 138,909 Due after ten years 108,228 105,312 Fixed maturities with no single maturity date 16,758 16,373 $ 448,161 $ 441,912

Investments in Debt and Marke56

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	December 31, 2017 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Corporate securities $ 85,642 $ 1,250 $ 44,640 $ 1,597 $ 130,282 $ 2,847 CMOs - residential 1,381 45 5,237 135 6,618 180 U.S. Government obligations 75,811 198 9,302 198 85,113 396 GSEs - - 9,669 205 9,669 205 States and political subdivisions 83,682 1,348 66,617 2,271 150,299 3,619 Foreign government obligations 2,959 90 - - 2,959 90 Total fixed maturities 249,475 2,931 135,465 4,406 384,940 7,337 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,160 18 - - 2,160 18 Total equity securities 2,160 18 - - 2,160 18 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 251,635 $ 2,949 $ 135,465 $ 4,406 $ 387,100 $ 7,355 Number of securities in an unrealized loss position 61 76 137 December 31, 2016 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Value Losses Value Losses Value Losses Corporate securities $ 145,205 $ 3,818 $ 19,841 $ 1,672 $ 165,046 $ 5,490 CMO’s - residential 5,038 116 - - 5,038 116 U.S. Government obligations 28,406 441 - - 28,406 441 GSEs 3,640 166 6,220 256 9,860 422 States and political subdivisions 144,357 4,561 18,132 554 162,489 5,115 Foreign government obligations 3,738 157 - - 3,738 157 Redeemable preferred stocks - - 3,315 448 3,315 448 Total fixed maturities 330,384 9,259 47,508 2,930 377,892 12,189 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 826 25 1,277 50 2,103 75 Total equity securities 826 25 1,277 50 2,103 75 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 331,210 $ 9,284 $ 48,785 $ 2,980 $ 379,995 $ 12,264 Number of securities in an unrealized loss position 156 23 179

Investments in Debt and Marke57

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Investment Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Investment Income	2017 2016 2015 Fixed maturities $ 13,397 $ 14,960 $ 15,364 Equity securities 613 676 845 Cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments 264 1,088 66 Equity method investments 1,846 62 405 Other 221 (135) 661 Investment income, gross 16,341 16,651 17,341 Investment expenses (65) (81) (104) Net investment income $ 16,276 $ 16,570 $ 17,237

Investments in Debt and Marke58

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments	2017 2016 2015 Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities $ 2,640 $ 4,275 $ 3,533 Common stocks - 263 1,519 Nonredeemable preferred stocks - - 151 Total available-for-sale securities 2,640 4,538 5,203 Trading securities - (409) (1,653) Total realized gains 2,640 4,129 3,550 Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities: Change in unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities (102) 289 (452) Total unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities (102) 289 (452) Gains (losses) on other investments 1 84 (4) Net realized investment gains $ 2,539 $ 4,502 $ 3,094

Investments in Debt and Marke59

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings	2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ - $ 473 $ 473 Securities sold - (473) - Balance at end of period $ - $ - $ 473

Fair Value Disclosures _Text 60

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total FINANCIAL ASSETS: Fixed maturities available-for-sale: Corporate securities $ - $ 146,447 $ - $ 146,447 CMOs - residential - 6,677 - 6,677 US Government obligations - 85,114 - 85,114 Agency MBS - residential - 14 - 14 GSEs - 9,682 - 9,682 States and political subdivisions - 177,767 1,876 179,643 Foreign government obligations - 4,150 - 4,150 Redeemable preferred stocks 10,185 - - 10,185 Total fixed maturities 10,185 429,851 1,876 441,912 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks 2,000 - - 2,000 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,630 - - 3,630 Total equity securities 5,630 - - 5,630 Trading securities - equities 490 - - 490 Total trading securities 490 - - 490 Total Financial Assets $ 16,305 $ 429,851 $ 1,876 $ 448,032 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total FINANCIAL ASSETS: Fixed maturities available-for-sale: Corporate securities $ - $ 187,695 $ - $ 187,695 CMOs - residential - 5,913 - 5,913 US Government obligations - 43,109 - 43,109 Agency MBS - residential - 23 - 23 GSEs - 9,880 - 9,880 States and political subdivisions - 184,778 2,033 186,811 Foreign government obligations - 4,954 - 4,954 Redeemable preferred stocks 11,102 - - 11,102 Total fixed maturities 11,102 436,352 2,033 449,487 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks 1,790 - - 1,790 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,543 - - 3,543 Total equity securities 5,333 - - 5,333 Trading securities - equities 592 - - 592 Total trading securities 592 - - 592 Total Financial Assets $ 17,027 $ 436,352 $ 2,033 $ 455,412

Fair Value Disclosures _Text 61

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	2017 2016 States and Total States and Total Political Level 3 CMOs Political Level 3 Subdivisions Assets Commercial Subdivisions Assets Beginning balance $ 2,033 $ 2,033 $ 1,195 $ 2,179 $ 3,374 Gains (losses) included in earnings: Net realized investment gains - - 141 - 141 Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss): Net unrealized gains (losses) (35) (35) (296) (40) (336) Repayments and amortization of fixed maturities (122) (122) (74) (106) (180) Sales - - (966) - (966) Balance at end of period $ 1,876 $ 1,876 $ - $ 2,033 $ 2,033

Fair Value Disclosures _Text 62

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total Contingent Level 3 Liabilities Liabilities Beginning balance $ 1,650 $ 1,650 Gains (losses) included in earnings: Net investment income (1,038) (1,038) Other income 88 88 Payment of contingent liability (700) (700) Balance at end of period $ - $ -

Fair Value Disclosures _Text 63

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 1 Level 2 Fair Fair Carrying Fair Fair Carrying Value Value Value Value Value Value FINANCIAL ASSETS: Short-term investments $ 50 $ - $ 50 $ 6,912 $ - $ 6,912 FINANCIAL LIABILITIES: Funds on deposit $ - $ 143,702 $ 143,537 $ - $ 146,098 $ 145,749

Investments in and Advances t64

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]: Other Investments, Including Variable Interest Entities Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Other Investments, Including Variable Interest Entities Table Text Block	December 31, 2017 2016 Equity method investments $ 15,385 $ 19,747 Cost method investments 3,125 3,750 Other investments and securities, at cost 37 37 $ 18,547 $ 23,534

BusinessCombinationAndDeconso65

BusinessCombinationAndDeconsolidationDisclosure: Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
PetPartnersIncAcquiree,Member
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	Cash $ 390 Intangible assets 5,880 Other assets 567 Total identifiable assets 6,837 Other liabilities 174 Deferred tax liability 1,069 Total liabilities 1,243 Net identifiable assets acquired $ 5,594 Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ 2,005
GafAcquireeMember
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	Cash $ 836 Intangible assets 5,500 Other assets 1,405 Total identifiable assets 7,741 Other liabilities 4,369 Deferred tax liability 1,925 Debt 3,806 Total liabilities 10,100 Net identifiable liabilities assumed $ 2,359

Goodwill and Intangible Asset66

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Goodwill	Specialty Health Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 47,276 $ 47,276 Sale of subsidiary/business (see Note 7) (5,703) (5,703) Balance at December 31, 2016 41,573 41,573 Acquisition (see Note 7) 9,124 9,124 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 50,697 $ 50,697

Goodwill and Intangible Asset67

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Gross Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization Amount Amortization Finite-lived Intangible Assets: Agent and broker relationships $ 17,253 $ 12,140 $ 13,052 $ 11,882 Domain 1,000 125 1,000 25 Software systems 780 76 - - Total finite-lived $ 19,033 $ 12,341 $ 14,052 $ 11,907

Goodwill and Intangible Asset68

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	December 31, 2017 2016 Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets: Insurance licenses $ 7,977 $ 7,977 Total indefinite-lived $ 7,977 $ 7,977

Goodwill and Intangible Asset69

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net, Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net, Table Text Block	2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ 10,122 $ 14,598 $ 10,620 Intangible assets acquired (see Note 7) 5,880 1,000 5,500 Sale of subsidiaries/businesses (see Note 7) - (4,233) (122) Amortization expense (1,333) (1,243) (1,400) Balance at end of year $ 14,669 $ 10,122 $ 14,598

Goodwill and Intangible Asset70

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Amortization Year Expense 2018 $ 1,506 2019 1,138 2020 862 2021 667 2022 579

Reinsurance _Text Block__ Effec

Reinsurance [Text Block]: Effects of Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Effects of Reinsurance	ASSUMED CEDED GROSS FROM OTHER TO OTHER NET AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT Premiums Earned December 31, 2017 Accident and health $ 249,134 $ 7,574 $ 32,290 $ 224,418 Life and annuity 56,194 795 38,899 18,090 Property and liability 40,139 - 381 39,758 $ 345,467 $ 8,369 $ 71,570 $ 282,266 December 31, 2016 Accident and health $ 461,467 $ 19,744 $ 276,392 $ 204,819 Life and annuity 57,938 1,595 42,078 17,455 Property and liability 40,697 - 267 40,430 $ 560,102 $ 21,339 $ 318,737 $ 262,704 December 31, 2015 Accident and health $ 513,814 $ 28,822 $ 126,613 $ 416,023 Life and annuity 46,699 4,330 23,078 27,951 Property and liability 35,812 - 252 35,560 $ 596,325 $ 33,152 $ 149,943 $ 479,534 Insurance benefits, claims and reserves December 31, 2017 $ 199,063 $ 5,965 $ 69,974 $ 135,054 December 31, 2016 $ 335,968 $ (5,512) $ 185,225 $ 145,231 December 31, 2015 $ 365,634 $ 24,956 $ 83,412 $ 307,178

Liability for Future Policy B72

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of year $ 219,113 $ 245,443 $ 236,803 Less: reinsurance recoverable 88,853 65,362 78,531 Net balance at beginning of year 130,260 180,081 158,272 Amount assumed - - 10,343 Amount incurred, related to: Current year 147,603 155,044 294,390 Prior years (8,008) (5,496) (8,488) Total incurred 139,595 149,548 285,902 Amount paid, related to: Current year 80,839 78,159 169,488 Prior years 62,469 121,210 104,948 Total paid 143,308 199,369 274,436 Net balance at end of year 126,547 130,260 180,081 Plus: reinsurance recoverable 42,136 88,853 65,362 Balance at end of year $ 168,683 $ 219,113 $ 245,443
Specialty Health Segment Member | Health Insurance Product Line
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	Specialty Health Segment Health Insurance Claims 2017 2016 2015 (unaudited) Balance at beginning of year $ 27,183 $ 23,425 $ 35,620 Less: reinsurance recoverable 1,179 1,362 3,584 Net balance at beginning of year 26,004 22,063 32,036 Amount incurred, related to: Current year 54,333 44,243 63,122 Prior years 158 (4,702) (8,410) Total incurred 54,491 39,541 54,712 Amount paid, related to: Current year 24,370 19,371 42,419 Prior years 23,983 16,229 22,266 Total paid 48,353 35,600 64,685 Net balance at end of year 32,142 26,004 22,063 Plus: reinsurance recoverable 762 1,179 1,362 Balance at end of year $ 32,904 $ 27,183 $ 23,425

Liability for Future Policy B73

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Specialty Health Segment Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development	Specialty Health Segment –Claims Development December 31, 2017 Incurred Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance Incurred But Cumulative For the years ended December 31, Not Reported Number of Accident 2013 2014 2015 2016 Plus Expected Reported Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 Development Claims ( Actual ) 2013 $ 180,649 181,454 180,595 181,114 $ 181,113 $ 660 447,248 2014 146,060 140,139 141,869 142,110 1,739 405,798 2015 104,497 100,988 101,241 3,638 392,846 2016 85,426 86,446 7,835 441,619 2017 87,070 37,781 436,623 Total $ 597,980 Specialty Health Segment –Claims Development Cumulative Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 2013 $ 131,801 179,023 179,750 180,520 $ 180,453 2014 103,064 134,557 139,162 140,371 2015 70,090 94,757 97,603 2016 45,454 78,611 2017 49,289 Total $ 546,327 Outstanding policy benefits and claims payable before 2013, net of reinsurance 57 Total policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance $ 51,710
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | NY Short-Term Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development	Group disability; life and DBL Segment – DBL Claims Development Incurred Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the year ended December 31, Accident Year 2017 2017 Total $ 20,428 Group disability; life and DBL Segment – DBL Claims Development Cumulative Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the year ended December 31, Accident Year 2017 2017 Total $ 13,849 Total policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance $ 6,579
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development	Group disability; life and DBL Segment – Group Disability Claims Development December 31, 2017 Incurred Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance Incurred But Cumulative For the years ended December 31, Not Reported Number of Accident 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Plus Expected Reported Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2016 2017 Development Claims (Actual) 2010 $ 12,329 11,218 7,142 5,222 5,049 4,220 7,925 $ 8,658 $ - 2,311 2011 18,669 17,301 16,569 15,699 16,179 17,157 17,224 60 2,337 2012 15,510 13,999 12,522 12,535 12,965 12,876 172 2,263 2013 33,143 31,323 30,546 32,888 32,575 241 2,629 2014 16,469 13,678 15,228 14,881 314 2,781 2015 25,621 19,929 17,427 579 3,246 2016 28,907 29,382 1,407 3,475 2017 30,273 11,151 2,944 Total $ 163,296 Group disability; life and DBL Segment – Group Disability Claims Development Cumulative Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) 2016 2017 2010 $ 3,288 8,456 10,135 10,700 11,135 11,678 12,219 $ 12,641 2011 3,463 8,544 10,025 10,613 11,186 11,847 12,505 2012 3,222 7,294 8,367 8,949 9,377 9,912 2013 5,645 13,032 17,077 20,246 22,448 2014 3,818 8,823 10,355 11,090 2015 7,111 14,715 17,430 2016 8,790 17,193 2017 8,834 Total $ 112,053 Outstanding policy benefits and claims payable before 2010, net of reinsurance 21,189 Total policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance $ 72,432

Liability for Future Policy B74

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Schedule of Historical Claims Duration (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Specialty Health Segment Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Schedule of Historical Claims Duration	Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Specialty Health Segment 64.7% 27.7% 2.2% 0.6% 0.0%
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Schedule of Historical Claims Duration	Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Group disability 18.3% 22.5% 7.4% 3.5% 2.4% 1.4% 1.0% 0.4%

Liability for Future Policy B75

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short Duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short Duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities Table Text Block	Carrying Value of Aggregate Amount Unpaid Claim Liabilities of Discount December 31, December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Group disability $ 60,724 $ 60,194 $ 11,707 $ 11,475

Liability for Future Policy B76

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability	December 31, 2017 Net outstanding balances: Specialty Health Segment $ 51,710 DBL 6,579 Group disability 72,432 Other short-duration insurance lines 7,410 Policy benefits and claims, net of reinsurance 138,131 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims: Specialty Health Segment 1,821 DBL 1,124 Group disability 26,849 Other short-duration insurance lines 6,168 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims 35,962 Insurance lines other than short-duration 6,297 Aggregate discount (11,707) Total policy benefit and claims $ 168,683

Income Tax Disclosure _Text B77

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	2017 2016 2015 CURRENT: U.S. Federal $ (4,077) $ 4,637 $ 14,278 State and Local 29 473 1,012 (4,048) 5,110 15,290 DEFERRED: U.S. Federal (9,780) 4,390 673 State and Local 34 55 (59) (9,746) 4,445 614 $ (13,794) $ 9,555 $ 15,904

Income Tax Disclosure _Text B78

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	2017 2016 2015 Tax computed at the statutory rate $ 9,918 $ 11,223 $ 15,357 Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest (423) (641) (796) State and local income taxes, net of Federal effect 42 331 619 Subsidiary stock basis write-off (11,589) (3,903) - Health insurance excise tax - 146 526 Health insurer compensation limit 192 594 379 Impact of enacted tax reform 9,402 - - AMIC valuation allowance adjustment (20,261) - - Sharebased compensation (867) - - Other, net (208) 1,805 (181) Income tax expense $ (13,794) $ 9,555 $ 15,904

Income Tax Disclosure _Text B79

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	2017 2016 DEFERRED TAX ASSETS: Unrealized losses on investment securities $ 1,222 $ 3,851 Investment write-downs 48 596 Loss carryforwards 30,928 50,735 Other 1,938 4,322 Total gross deferred tax assets 34,136 59,504 Less AMIC valuation allowance (9,394) (35,918) Net deferred tax assets 24,742 23,586 DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES: Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs (105) (114) Insurance reserves (3,252) (4,947) Goodwill and intangible assets (4,115) (5,274) Other (1,625) (4,097) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (9,097) (14,432) Net deferred tax asset $ 15,645 $ 9,154

Stockholders' Equity Note Dis80

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	2017 2016 2015 Beginning balance $ (6,964) $ (3,440) $ 22 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 4,892 (1,582) (256) Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI (1,711) (1,926) (3,206) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 3,181 (3,508) (3,462) Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - (118) (5) Acquired from noncontrolling interests - 102 5 Reclassification of the stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (815) - - Ending balance $ (4,598) $ (6,964) $ (3,440)

Stockholders' Equity Note Dis81

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]: Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	2017 2016 2015 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities reclassified during the period to the following income statement line items: Net realized investment gains $ 2,640 $ 4,538 $ 5,202 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Income before income tax 2,640 3,063 4,974 Tax effect 929 1,137 1,768 Net income $ 1,711 $ 1,926 $ 3,206

Compensation and Employee Ben82

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan	2017 2016 2015 IHC’s Share-based Compensation Plan: Stock options $ 224 $ 181 $ 55 Restricted stock units 116 83 89 SARs 454 435 13 Share-based compensation expense, pre-tax 794 699 157 Tax benefits 316 279 63 Share-based compensation expense, net $ 478 $ 420 $ 94

Compensation and Employee Ben83

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	Shares Weighted- Average Under Option Exercise Price December 31, 2016 697,180 $ 11.75 Granted 199,000 26.72 Exercised (203,800) 9.82 December 31, 2017 692,380 $ 16.62

Compensation and Employee Ben84

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	2017 2016 Weighted-average risk-free interest rate 2.02% 1.87% Expected annual dividend rate per share 0.58% 0.60% Expected volatility factor of the Company's common stock 37.44% 12.95% Weighted-average expected term of options 4.5 years 4.5 years

Compensation and Employee Ben85

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding	December 31, 2017 Outstanding Exercisable Number of options 692,380 388,713 Weighted average exercise price per share $ 16.62 $ 10.55 Aggregate intrinsic value for all options (in thousands) $ 7,499 $ 6,568 Weighted average contractual term remaining 2.8 years 1.4 years

Compensation and Employee Ben86

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	No. of Weighted-Average Non-vested Grant-Date Shares Fair Value December 31, 2016 17,325 $ 16.20 Granted 9,900 28.20 Vested (8,250) 15.18 December 31, 2017 18,975 $ 22.91

Commitments and Contingencies87

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	2018 $ 2,251 2019 1,953 2020 1,929 2021 1,460 2022 1,125 2023 and thereafter 195 Total $ 8,913

Concentration Risk Disclosure88

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]: Ceded Credit Risk [Table Text Block] (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Ceded Credit Risk	AM Best Due from Reinsurer Rating Reinsurer National Guardian Life Insurance Company A- $ 223,402 Guggenheim Life and Annuity Company B++ 96,664

Dividend Payment Restrictions89

Dividend Payment Restrictions [Text Block]: Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure	Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory net income: Madison National Life $ 12,794 $ (1,615) $ 20,326 Standard Security Life 3,555 (10,480) 13,198 Independence American 8,728 4,048 2,960 December 31, 2017 2016 Statutory capital and surplus: Madison National Life $ 179,648 $ 178,978 Standard Security Life 65,600 70,620 Independence American 72,083 66,812

Segment Reporting Disclosure 90

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	2017 2016 2015 Revenues: Specialty Health $ 203,810 $ 173,147 $ 185,912 Group disability; life and DBL 106,927 103,535 90,314 Individual life, annuities and other (A) 2,139 2,756 27,119 Medical Stop-Loss (A) 2,607 25,614 214,139 Corporate 2,472 2,925 205 317,955 307,977 517,689 Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture - - 9,940 Net realized investment gains 2,539 4,502 3,094 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Total revenues $ 320,494 $ 311,004 $ 530,495 Income from continuing operations before income taxes: Specialty Health (B) $ 13,207 $ 7,202 $ 6,490 Group disability; life and DBL 18,278 17,904 15,811 Individual life, annuities and other (A) (C) (513) (2,540) (122) Medical Stop-Loss (A) 2,839 16,733 18,828 Corporate (8,014) (8,727) (8,137) 25,797 30,572 32,870 Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture - - 9,940 Net realized investment gains 2,539 4,502 3,094 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (1,475) (228) Interest expense - (1,534) (1,798) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 28,336 $ 32,065 $ 43,878 (A) Substantially all of the business in the segment is coinsured. Activity in this segment primarily reflects income or expenses related to the coinsurance and the run-off of any remaining blocks that were not coinsured. (B) The Specialty Health segment includes amortization of intangible assets recorded as a result of purchase accounting for previous acquisitions. Total amortization expense was $1,333,000, $1,243,000 and $1,488,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There is no amortization expense attributable to the other segments. (C) The Individual life, annuities and other segment includes amortization of deferred charges in connection with the assumptions of certain ceded life and annuity policies amounting to $1,196,000, $2,340,000 and $1,323,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. December 31, 2017 2016 IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AT YEAR END Specialty Health $ 223,896 $ 172,275 Group disability; life and DBL 246,877 243,421 Individual life, annuities and other 363,693 363,119 Medical Stop-Loss 78,234 200,026 Corporate 127,923 155,623 $ 1,040,623 $ 1,134,464

Quarterly Financial Informati91

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]: Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Quarterly Financial Information	FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER 2017 Total revenues $ 71,840 $ 82,237 $ 83,752 $ 82,665 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 5,009 $ 14,307 $ 5,213 $ 17,601 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - - - - Net income 5,009 14,307 5,213 17,601 (Income) loss from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests (62) 26 32 (23) (Income) from redeemable noncontrolling interests (11) (2) (16) (32) Net income attributable to IHC $ 4,936 $ 14,331 $ 5,229 $ 17,546 Basic income per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.30 $ 0.88 $ 0.35 $ 1.18 Income from discontinued operations - - - - Basic income per common share $ 0.30 $ 0.88 $ 0.35 $ 1.18 Diluted income per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.29 $ 0.86 $ 0.34 $ 1.16 Income from discontinued operations - - - - Diluted income per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.86 $ 0.34 $ 1.16 FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER 2016 Total revenues $ 75,895 $ 77,696 $ 78,542 $ 78,871 Income from continuing operations, net of tax $ 5,896 $ 4,495 $ 4,366 $ 7,753 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 109,770 142 - 892 Net income 115,666 4,637 4,366 8,645 Less income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (9,656) (201) (43) (116) Net income attributable to IHC $ 106,010 $ 4,436 $ 4,323 $ 8,529 Basic income per common share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.34 $ 0.25 $ 0.25 $ 0.45 Income from discontinued operations 5.81 0.01 0.00 0.05 Basic income per common share $ 6.15 $ 0.26 $ 0.25 $ 0.50 Diluted income per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.25 $ 0.25 $ 0.44 Income from discontinued operations 5.75 0.01 0.00 0.05 Diluted income per common share $ 6.08 $ 0.26 $ 0.25 $ 0.49

Summary of Investments, Other92

Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties: Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Table Text Block	SCHEDULE I INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS – OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES DECEMBER 31, 2017 (In thousands) AMOUNT SHOWN IN BALANCE TYPE OF INVESTMENT COST VALUE SHEET FIXED MATURITIES - AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE: Bonds: United States Government and Government agencies and authorities $ 95,411 $ 94,810 $ 94,810 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 182,664 179,643 179,643 Foreign governments 4,227 4,150 4,150 Public utilities 15,865 15,717 15,717 All other corporate bonds 139,988 137,407 137,407 Redeemable preferred stock 10,006 10,185 10,185 TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES 448,161 441,912 441,912 EQUITY SECURITIES - AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND TRADING: Common stocks: Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 2,612 2,490 2,490 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 3,588 3,630 3,630 TOTAL EQUITY SECURITIES 6,200 6,120 6,120 Short-term investments and resale agreements 10,319 10,319 10,319 Other long-term investments 18,547 18,547 18,547 TOTAL INVESTMENTS $ 483,227 $ 476,898 $ 476,898

Condensed Financial Informati93

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Balance Sheet (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Parent Company
Condensed Balance Sheet	SCHEDULE II INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) DECEMBER 31, 2017 2016 ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,304 $ 3,667 Short-term investments - 3,500 Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 27,270 48,819 Investments in consolidated subsidiaries 445,697 425,677 Other assets 235 408 TOTAL ASSETS $ 475,506 $ 482,071 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 8,886 $ 8,732 Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries, net 25,318 28,697 Income taxes payable 3,411 4,236 Dividends payable 1,583 1,082 Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations - 68 TOTAL LIABILITIES 39,198 42,815 Redeemable noncontrolling interest 2,065 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock (none issued) (A) - - Common stock (B) 18,625 18,620 Paid-in capital 124,538 126,468 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,598) (6,964) Treasury stock, at cost (C) (63,404) (17,483) Retained earnings 356,383 315,918 TOTAL IHC’S STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 431,544 436,559 NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 2,699 2,697 TOTAL EQUITY 434,243 439,256 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 475,506 $ 482,071

Condensed Financial Informati94

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Income Statement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Parent Company
Condensed Income Statement	SCHEDULE II (Continued) INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 2017 2016 2015 REVENUES: Net investment income $ 576 $ 146 $ 112 Net realized investment gains (losses) 189 (121) (506) Other income 1,533 1,619 1,800 2,298 1,644 1,406 EXPENSES: Interest expense on debt - 1,443 1,567 General and administrative expenses 7,675 8,837 5,506 7,675 10,280 7,073 Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefits and equity in net income from continuing operations of subsidiaries (5,377) (8,636) (5,667) Equity in net income from continuing operations of subsidiaries 44,854 28,843 32,118 Income from continuing operations before income tax benefits 39,477 20,207 26,451 Income tax (benefits) (2,653) (2,303) (1,523) Income from continuing operations, net of tax 42,130 22,510 27,974 Discontinued operations (Note 3): Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes - 117,617 4,310 Income taxes on discontinued operations - 6,813 1,762 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 110,804 2,548 Net income 42,130 133,314 30,522 Less income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (88) (10,016) (578) Net income attributable to IHC 42,042 123,298 29,944 Comprehensive Income: Net income 42,130 133,314 30,522 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 73 114 (51) Equity in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities of subsidiaries 3,108 (3,622) (3,411) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,181 (3,508) (3,462) Comprehensive income, net of tax 45,311 129,806 27,060 Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (88) (10,134) (583) Comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to IHC $ 45,223 $ 119,672 $ 26,477

Condensed Financial Informati95

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Parent Company
Condensed Cash Flow Statement	SCHEDULE II (Continued) INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 2017 2016 2015 CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 42,130 $ 133,314 $ 30,522 Adjustments to net income: Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax - (110,337) - Equity in net income of subsidiaries, including discontinued operations (44,854) (28,843) (34,698) Other 2,521 3,396 9,204 Changes in other assets and liabilities (3,121) (1,939) 550 Net change in cash from operating activities (3,324) (4,409) 5,578 CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Change in investments in and advances to subsidiaries (A) 26,847 81,762 12,398 Net (purchases) sales and maturities of short-term investments 3,499 (3,501) - Purchases of fixed maturities (46,605) (94,850) (20,857) Sales of fixed maturities 63,568 70,745 5,915 Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities 4,640 - - Other investing activities - (2,995) - Net change in cash from investing activities 51,949 51,161 (2,544) CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repurchases of common stock (46,401) (3,925) (1,820) Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests - (486) - Repayments of debt - (38,146) - Dividends paid (1,928) (1,553) (1,392) Payments related to tax withholding for sharebased compensation (1,659) - - Other financing activities - 513 301 Net change in cash from financing activities (49,988) (43,597) (2,911) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (1,363) 3,155 123 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 3,667 512 389 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 2,304 $ 3,667 $ 512

Supplementary Insurance Infor96

Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure: Supplementary Insurance Information For Insurance Companies Disclosure Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Supplementary Insurance Information For Insurance Companies Disclosure Table Text Block	SCHEDULE III INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION (in thousands) FUTURE POLICY INSURANCE AMORTIZATION SELLING DEFERRED BENEFITS, NET NET BENEFITS, OF DEFERRED GENERAL & NET ACQUISITION LOSSES & UNEARNED PREMIUMS INVESTMENT CLAIMS & ACQUISTION ADMINISTRATIVE PREMIUMS COSTS (1) CLAIMS PREMIUMS EARNED INCOME (2) RESERVES COSTS (1) EXPENSES (3) WRITTEN December 31, 2017 Specialty Health $ - 53,859 3,292 181,851 5,299 84,380 - 106,223 $ 179,164 Group disability; life and DBL - 137,765 3,193 99,953 6,469 52,792 - 35,857 99,495 Individual life, annuities and other - 333,105 181 210 1,536 241 - 2,411 209 Medical Stop-Loss - 2,257 - 252 1,111 (2,359) - 2,127 253 Corporate - - - - 1,861 - - 10,486 - $ - 526,986 6,666 282,266 16,276 135,054 - 157,104 $ 279,121 December 31, 2016 Specialty Health $ - 50,943 6,320 154,397 3,272 81,215 - 84,730 $ 154,333 Group disability; life and DBL - 137,428 3,305 96,190 6,469 52,245 - 33,386 96,454 Individual life, annuities and other - 341,181 161 47 2,255 1,344 - 3,952 46 Medical Stop-Loss - 54,760 - 12,070 1,700 10,427 - (1,546) 12,070 Corporate - - - - 2,874 - - 11,652 - $ - 584,312 9,786 262,704 16,570 145,231 - 132,174 $ 262,903 December 31, 2015 Specialty Health $ - 42,165 7,005 171,912 1,813 93,916 - 85,506 $ 171,731 Group disability; life and DBL - 141,837 3,060 85,953 3,699 47,646 - 26,857 86,304 Individual life, annuities and other - 405,327 171 11,904 7,146 11,697 - 15,544 11,901 Medical Stop-Loss - 100,088 - 209,765 4,374 153,919 - 41,392 209,765 Corporate - - - - 205 - - 8,342 - $ - 689,417 10,236 479,534 17,237 307,178 - 177,641 $ 479,701

Supplemental Schedule of Rein97

Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies: Supplemental Schedule Of Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies Table Text Block (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Tables/Schedules
Supplemental Schedule Of Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies Table Text Block	SCHEDULE IV INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY REINSURANCE (In thousands) PERCENTAGE ASSUMED CEDED OF AMOUNT GROSS FROM OTHER TO OTHER NET ASSUMED AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT TO NET Life Insurance In-Force December 31, 2017 $ 13,770,999 $ 7,054 $ 6,878,689 $ 6,899,364 0.1% December 31, 2016 $ 12,466,127 $ 7,848 $ 6,303,742 $ 6,170,233 0.1% December 31, 2015 $ 12,063,911 $ 129,231 $ 6,365,993 $ 5,827,149 2.2% Premiums Earned December 31, 2017 Accident and health $ 249,134 $ 7,574 $ 32,290 $ 224,418 3.4% Life and annuity 56,194 795 38,899 18,090 4.4% Property and liability (1) 40,139 - 381 39,758 0.0% $ 345,467 $ 8,369 $ 71,570 $ 282,266 3.0% December 31, 2016 Accident and health $ 461,467 $ 19,744 $ 276,392 $ 204,819 9.6% Life and annuity 57,938 1,595 42,078 17,455 9.1% Property and liability (1) 40,697 - 267 40,430 0.0% $ 560,102 $ 21,339 $ 318,737 $ 262,704 8.1% December 31, 2015 Accident and health $ 513,814 $ 28,822 $ 126,613 $ 416,023 6.9% Life and annuity 46,699 4,330 23,078 27,951 15.5% Property and liability (1) 35,812 - 252 35,560 0.0% $ 596,325 $ 33,152 $ 149,943 $ 479,534 6.9%

Organization, Consolidation, 98

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests		$ 0	$ 18,111	$ 1,734
Other Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		2,786	2,029
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment		$ 4,188	3,348
GeneveAffiliatedEntityMember
EntityCommonStockOutstandingOwnershipPercent		61.00%
AMICSubsidiariesMember
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent				92.00%	90.00%
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	$ 18,111
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent	$ 2,200	$ 0	$ 2,200	$ 199

Organization, Consolidation, 99

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net		$ 0	$ (2,200)	$ 112
AMICSubsidiariesMember
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent	$ (2,200)	0	(2,200)	(199)
IPASubsidiariesMember
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent		$ 0	$ 0	$ 311

Organization, Consolidation,100

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Basis of Accounting, Policy (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Stop-Loss Coinsurance Transaction With Westport Insurance Corporation Member | Medical Stop-Loss Product Line Produced By Risk Solutions Member
Coinsurance, Ceded Percentage	100.00%

Organization, Consolidation,101

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Details
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 26,465	$ 22,010	$ 17,500
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0	1,671
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations	$ 26,465	$ 22,010	$ 19,171	$ 25,083

Organization, Consolidation,102

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Details
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	$ 10,269	$ 28,962
Resale Agreements Collateral Requirements, Percent	102.00%

Organization, Consolidation,103

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]: Deposit Contracts, Policy (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Minimum
Liability for Policyholder Contract Deposits, Interest Rate	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Maximum
Liability for Policyholder Contract Deposits, Interest Rate	6.00%	6.00%	7.00%

Earnings Per Share _Text Blo104

Earnings Per Share [Text Block] (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	290	217	170

Earnings Per Share _Text Blo105

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]: Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 17,601	$ 5,213	$ 14,307	$ 5,009	$ 7,753	$ 4,366	$ 4,495	$ 5,896	$ 42,130	$ 22,510	$ 27,974
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									88	458	405
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent									42,042	22,052	27,569
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0	892	0	142	109,770	0	110,804	2,548
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									0	9,558	173
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									0	101,246	2,375
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 17,546	$ 5,229	$ 14,331	$ 4,936	$ 8,529	$ 4,323	$ 4,436	$ 106,010	$ 42,042	$ 123,298	$ 29,944

Disposal Groups, Including D106

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	$ 0	$ 68
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations			$ 128
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations			(132)
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	$ 0	6,813	1,762
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	35.00%
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | AMICSubsidiariesMember
Aggregate Consideration Allocated To An Entity, Expressed As A Percent				89.00%
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	$ 0	68
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation		6,813
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | State and Local Jurisdiction
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation		3,819
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Domestic Tax Authority
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation		$ 2,994
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		35.00%
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount		$ (38,169)
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration				$ 152,500
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent		100,819
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	$ 0	$ 6,813	$ 1,762

Disposal Groups, Including D107

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]: Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax									$ 0	$ 117,617	$ 4,310
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation									0	6,813	1,762
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 892	$ 0	$ 142	$ 109,770	0	110,804	2,548
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation										6,813
Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction Member | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									0	6,406	2,373
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, General and Administrative Expense									0	5,689	(1,937)
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, before Income Tax									0	717	4,310
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax									0	116,900	0
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax									0	117,617	4,310
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation									0	6,813	1,762
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									$ 0	$ 110,804	$ 2,548

Investments in Debt and Mark108

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	$ 448,161	$ 460,435
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,088	1,241
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	7,337	12,189
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	441,912	449,487
Available For Sale Equity Securities Amortized Cost Basis	5,200	5,200
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	448	208
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	18	75
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	5,630	5,333
Corporate Debt Securities
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	148,996	192,976
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	298	209
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	2,847	5,490
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	146,447	187,695
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	6,857	6,021
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	8
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	180	116
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,677	5,913
US Treasury Securities
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	85,510	43,417
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	133
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	396	441
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	85,114	43,109
US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	14	22
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	1
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	14	23
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	9,887	10,301
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	1
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	205	422
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	9,682	9,880
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	182,664	191,146
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	598	780
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	3,619	5,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	179,643	186,811
Foreign Government Debt
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	4,227	5,098
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13	13
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	90	157
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	4,150	4,954
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	10,006	11,454
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	179	96
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	448
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	10,185	11,102
COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available For Sale Equity Securities Amortized Cost Basis	1,612	1,612
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	388	178
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	2,000	1,790
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available For Sale Equity Securities Amortized Cost Basis	3,588	3,588
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	60	30
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	18	75
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	$ 3,630	$ 3,543

Investments in Debt and Mark109

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Details
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 17,554
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	17,492
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Amortized Cost Basis	165,260
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	163,826
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Amortized Cost Basis	140,361
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	138,909
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	108,228
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	105,312
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis	16,758
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value	16,373
Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis	448,161	$ 460,435
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 441,912	$ 449,487

Investments in Debt and Mark110

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	$ 251,635	$ 331,210
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,949	9,284
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	135,465	48,785
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	4,406	2,980
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	387,100	379,995
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 7,355	$ 12,264
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Less than One Year	61	156
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year	76	23
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	137	179
Corporate Debt Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	$ 85,642	$ 145,205
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1,250	3,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	44,640	19,841
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1,597	1,672
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	130,282	165,046
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	2,847	5,490
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	1,381	5,038
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	45	116
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,237	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	135	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,618	5,038
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	180	116
US Treasury Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	75,811	28,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	198	441
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,302	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	198	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	85,113	28,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	396	441
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	0	3,640
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	166
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,669	6,220
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	205	256
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	9,669	9,860
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	205	422
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	83,682	144,357
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1,348	4,561
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	66,617	18,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	2,271	554
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	150,299	162,489
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	3,619	5,115
Foreign Government Debt
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	2,959	3,738
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	90	157
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,959	3,738
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	90	157
Debt Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	249,475	330,384
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,931	9,259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	135,465	47,508
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	4,406	2,930
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	384,940	377,892
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	7,337	12,189
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	2,160	826
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	18	25
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	1,277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	50
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,160	2,103
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	18	75
Equity Securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value	2,160	826
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	18	25
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	1,277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	50
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,160	2,103
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 18	75
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		3,315
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		448
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		3,315
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		$ 448

Investments in Debt and Mark111

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Gross Investment Income, Operating	$ 16,341	$ 16,651	$ 17,341
Investment Income, Investment Expense	65	81	104
Net Investment Income	16,276	16,570	17,237
Fixed Maturities
Gross Investment Income, Operating	13,397	14,960	15,364
Equity Securities
Gross Investment Income, Operating	613	676	845
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Gross Investment Income, Operating	264	1,088	66
Partnership Interest
Gross Investment Income, Operating	1,846	62	405
Other Long-term Investments
Gross Investment Income, Operating	$ 221	$ (135)	$ 661

Investments in Debt and Mark112

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available for sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments	$ 2,640	$ 4,538	$ 5,203
Trading Securities, Realized Gain (Loss)	0	(409)	(1,653)
Marketable Securities, Realized Gain (Loss), Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	2,640	4,129	3,550
Trading Securities, Change in Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss)	(102)	289	(452)
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss), Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(102)	289	(452)
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Investments	1	84	(4)
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	2,539	4,502	3,094
Debt Securities
Available for sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments	2,640	4,275	3,533
COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available for sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments	0	263	1,519
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available for sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 151

Investments in Debt and Mark113

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds	$ 193,638	$ 414,997	$ 640,902
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	3,746	5,356	6,412
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	895	480	805
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	$ 0	$ 1,475	$ 228

Investments in Debt and Mark114

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]: Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Credit Losses on Debt Securities Held	$ 0	$ 473	$ 473
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Reductions, Securities Sold	0	(473)	0
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Credit Losses on Debt Securities Held	$ 0	$ 0	$ 473

Fair Value Disclosures _Text115

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 441,912	$ 449,487
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	5,630	5,333
Trading Securities	490	592
Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	146,447	187,695
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,677	5,913
US Treasury Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	85,114	43,109
US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	14	23
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	9,682	9,880
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	179,643	186,811
Foreign Government Debt
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	4,150	4,954
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	10,185	11,102
COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	2,000	1,790
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	3,630	3,543
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	441,912	449,487
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	5,630	5,333
Trading Securities	490	592
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	448,032	455,412
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	146,447	187,695
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,677	5,913
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Treasury Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	85,114	43,109
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	14	23
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	9,682	9,880
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	179,643	186,811
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign Government Debt
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	4,150	4,954
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	10,185	11,102
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	2,000	1,790
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	3,630	3,543
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity Securities
Trading Securities	490	592
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	10,185	11,102
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	5,630	5,333
Trading Securities	490	592
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	16,305	17,027
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Treasury Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign Government Debt
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	10,185	11,102
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	2,000	1,790
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	3,630	3,543
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity Securities
Trading Securities	490	592
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	429,851	436,352
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	429,851	436,352
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	146,447	187,695
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,677	5,913
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Treasury Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	85,114	43,109
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	14	23
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	9,682	9,880
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	177,767	184,778
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign Government Debt
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	4,150	4,954
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity Securities
Trading Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,876	2,033
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	1,876	2,033
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Member
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Treasury Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,876	2,033
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign Government Debt
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | COMMON STOCK, AMOUNT
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity Securities
Trading Securities	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Disclosures _Text116

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 2,033	$ 3,374
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(35)	(336)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	(122)	(180)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	(966)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	1,876	2,033
Net realized investment gains
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	141
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	2,033	2,179
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(35)	(40)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	(122)	(106)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	1,876	2,033
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities | Net realized investment gains
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 0	1,195
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		(296)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements		(74)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales		(966)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities | Net realized investment gains
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		$ 141

Fair Value Disclosures _Text117

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$ 1,650
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements	(700)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0
Investment Income
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(1,038)
Other Income
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	88
Contingent Liability Member
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	1,650
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements	(700)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0
Contingent Liability Member | Investment Income
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(1,038)
Contingent Liability Member | Other Income
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	$ 88

Fair Value Disclosures _Text118

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]: Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Short-term investments	$ 50	$ 6,912
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities	143,537	145,749
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Short-term investments	50	6,912
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Short-term investments	0	0
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities	143,702	146,098
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Short-term investments	50	6,912
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities	$ 143,537	$ 145,749

Investments in and Advances 119

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]: Other Investments, Including Variable Interest Entities Table Text Block (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Details
Equity Method Investments	$ 15,385	$ 19,747
Cost Method Investments	3,125	3,750
Other Investments and Securities, at Cost	37	37
Other Investments	$ 18,547	$ 23,534

Investments in and Advances 120

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital			$ 5,246
Equity Method Investments			15,385	$ 19,747
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments			1,846	62	$ 405
Increase In Other Investments, Aggregate Purchase Price				5,250
Other Investments | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary, Aggregated Disclosure
Equity Method Investments			3,993	8,961
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount			3,993
Ebix Health Exchange Member | Fee Income Member
Revenue from Related Parties			0	366	80
Ebix Health Exchange Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Related Party Transaction, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses from Transactions with Related Party			10,306	5,937	1,477
Ebix Health Exchange Member | Other Assets
Due from Related Parties			1,859	570
Ebix Health Exchange Member | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Due to Related Parties			1,139	938
IHC Health Solutions Sale Transaction Member
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions		60.00%
Loss Contingency Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)				(1,038)
Ebix Health Exchange Holdings Member
Equity Method Investments			8,188	8,770
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments			$ 629	$ (743)	$ (271)
DecreaseI In Ownership In Joint Venture, Percentage	11.00%
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Joint Venture	$ 2,000
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions	49.00%

BusinessCombinationAndDecons121

BusinessCombinationAndDeconsolidationDisclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 24, 2017
Goodwill, Acquired During Period																	$ 9,124
Revenues							$ 82,665	$ 83,752	$ 82,237	$ 71,840	$ 78,871	$ 78,542	$ 77,696	$ 75,895			320,494	$ 311,004	$ 530,495
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total							17,601	$ 5,213	$ 14,307	$ 5,009	8,645	$ 4,366	$ 4,637	$ 115,666			42,130	133,314	30,522
Equity Method Investments							15,385				19,747					$ 15,385	15,385	19,747
Goodwill				$ 47,276			50,697				41,573				$ 47,276	50,697	50,697	41,573	47,276
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture																	0	0	$ 9,940
Ebix Health Exchange Holdings Member
Equity Method Investments							$ 8,188				$ 8,770					8,188	$ 8,188	8,770
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions			49.00%
LegalEntityEbixIncMember | Ebix Health Exchange Holdings Member
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					40.00%
LegalEntityEbixIncMember | Ebix Health Exchange Holdings Member | Cash
Other Ownership Interests, Contributed Capital					$ 6,000
LegalEntityEbixIncMember | Ebix Health Exchange Holdings Member | SoftwareLicenseMember
Other Ownership Interests, Contributed Capital					2,000
Accident Insurance Services Inc Sale Transaction Member
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries		$ 9,000
IHC Health Solutions Sale Transaction Member
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries					6,000
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount					$ 11,441
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions					60.00%
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture					$ 9,940
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period					1,501
Deconsolidation, Revaluation of Retained Investment, Gain (Loss), Amount					$ 5,441
InnovativeMedicalRiskManagementIncSaleTransactionMember
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries				1,084
Other Income | Accident Insurance Services Inc Sale Transaction Member
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount		$ (558)
Other Income | InnovativeMedicalRiskManagementIncSaleTransactionMember
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount				$ 679
PetPartnersIncAcquiree,Member
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired																				85.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 12,713
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 9,124
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles																				$ 5,880
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value																				2,005
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net																				$ 5,594
Revenues																4,468
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total																$ 691
GafAcquireeMember
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired						40.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						$ 1,520
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles						5,500
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value						608
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net						$ (2,359)
Revenues															6,954
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total															$ 607
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage						40.00%
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage						80.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						$ 325
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Other						1,195
Equity Method Investments						1,908
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Loss						692
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value						1,216
Nonmonetary Transaction, Gain (Loss) Recognized on Transfer						1,195
Goodwill						5,703
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill						5,500
GafAcquireeMember | Contingent Liability Member
Payments of Merger Related Costs, Financing Activities																		$ 700
GafAcquireeMember | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Contingent Liability						1,000
GafAcquireeMember | Other Income
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Total Gain (Loss)						$ 503

BusinessCombinationAndDecons122

BusinessCombinationAndDeconsolidationDisclosure: Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 24, 2017	Apr. 30, 2015
PetPartnersIncAcquiree,Member
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	$ 390
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	5,880
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other	567
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets	6,837
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other	174
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities	1,069
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	1,243
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	5,594
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	$ 2,005
GafAcquireeMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents		$ 836
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		5,500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other		1,405
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets		7,741
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other		4,369
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities		10,100
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		(2,359)
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value		608
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent		1,925
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt		$ 3,806

Goodwill and Intangible Asse123

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill	$ 50,697	$ 41,573	$ 47,276
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		5,703
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	9,124
Specialty Health Segment Member
Goodwill	50,697	41,573	$ 47,276
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		$ 5,703
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 9,124

Goodwill and Intangible Asse124

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 14,669	$ 10,122	$ 14,598	$ 10,620
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	9,124
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	5,880	$ 1,000	$ 5,500
Specialty Health Segment Member
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	9,124
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 5,880
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	9 years 7 months 6 days

Goodwill and Intangible Asse125

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 19,033	$ 14,052
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	12,341	11,907
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	17,253	13,052
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	12,140	11,882
Internet Domain Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,000	1,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	125	25
Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	780	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 76	$ 0

Goodwill and Intangible Asse126

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 7,977	$ 7,977
Licensing Agreements
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 7,977	$ 7,977

Goodwill and Intangible Asse127

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net, Table Text Block (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 10,122	$ 14,598	$ 10,620
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	5,880	1,000	5,500
Net Intangible Assets Written off Related to Sale Of Business Unit	0	4,233	122
Amortization of Intangible Assets	1,333	1,243	1,400
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 14,669	$ 10,122	$ 14,598

Goodwill and Intangible Asse128

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Details
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	$ 1,506
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	1,138
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	862
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	667
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 579

Reinsurance _Text Block__ Ef129

Reinsurance [Text Block]: Effects of Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 345,467	$ 560,102	$ 596,325
Assumed Premiums Earned	8,369	21,339	33,152
Ceded Premiums Earned	71,570	318,737	149,943
Premiums Earned, Net	282,266	262,704	479,534
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Direct	199,063	335,968	365,634
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed	5,965	(5,512)	24,956
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded	69,974	185,225	83,412
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	135,054	145,231	307,178
Accident and Health Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	249,134	461,467	513,814
Assumed Premiums Earned	7,574	19,744	28,822
Ceded Premiums Earned	32,290	276,392	126,613
Premiums Earned, Net	224,418	204,819	416,023
Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	56,194	57,938	46,699
Assumed Premiums Earned	795	1,595	4,330
Ceded Premiums Earned	38,899	42,078	23,078
Premiums Earned, Net	18,090	17,455	27,951
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	40,139	40,697	35,812
Assumed Premiums Earned	0	0	0
Ceded Premiums Earned	381	267	252
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 39,758	$ 40,430	$ 35,560

Liability for Future Policy 130

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$ 219,113	$ 245,443	$ 236,803
Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments	88,853	65,362	78,531
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net, Beginning Balance	130,260	180,081	158,272
Claims and Claims Adjustment Expenses Assumed	0	0	10,343
Current Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	147,603	155,044	294,390
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	(8,008)	(5,496)	(8,488)
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims	139,595	149,548	285,902
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year	80,839	78,159	169,488
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years	62,469	121,210	104,948
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid	143,308	199,369	274,436
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net, Ending Balance	126,547	130,260	180,081
Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments	42,136	88,853	65,362
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	168,683	219,113	245,443
Specialty Health Segment Member
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	1,425	(1,392)	(7,977)
Specialty Health Segment Member | Health Insurance Product Line
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	27,183	23,425	35,620
Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments	1,179	1,362	3,584
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net, Beginning Balance	26,004	22,063	32,036
Current Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	54,333	44,243	63,122
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	158	(4,702)	(8,410)
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims	54,491	39,541	54,712
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year	24,370	19,371	42,419
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years	23,983	16,229	22,266
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid	48,353	35,600	64,685
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net, Ending Balance	32,142	26,004	22,063
Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments	762	1,179	1,362
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$ 32,904	$ 27,183	$ 23,425

Liability for Future Policy 131

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$ (8,008)	$ (5,496)	$ (8,488)
Claims and Claims Adjustment Expenses Assumed	0	0	10,343
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	(3,742)	(2,728)	(4,464)
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | NY Short-Term Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 6,579
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	11,000
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line | Insurance Benefits, Claims And Reserves Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Interest Accretion	$ 1,706	$ 1,571	1,451
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line | Minimum
Short-Duration Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Discount Rate	3.00%	3.00%
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line | Maximum
Short-Duration Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Discount Rate	6.00%	6.00%
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2013
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 241
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,629
Claims and Claims Adjustment Expenses Assumed				$ 15,384
Individual life annuities and other Segment Member
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$ (3,084)	$ (1,728)	325
Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	(2,607)	352	3,628
Specialty Health Segment Member
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	1,425	(1,392)	(7,977)
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2013
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 660
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	447,248
Specialty Health Segment Member | Health Insurance Product Line
Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$ 158	$ (4,702)	$ (8,410)
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 32,142

Liability for Future Policy 132

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010USD ($)
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 138,131
Specialty Health Segment Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	597,980
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	546,327
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net, Not Separately Presented	57
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	51,710
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2013
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	181,113	$ 181,114	$ 180,595	$ 181,454	$ 180,649
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 660
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	447,248
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 180,453	180,520	179,750	179,023	131,801
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2014
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	142,110	141,869	140,139	146,060
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 1,739
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	405,798
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 140,371	139,162	134,557	103,064
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2015
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	101,241	100,988	104,497
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 3,638
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	392,846
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 97,603	94,757	70,090
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2016
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	86,446	85,426
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 7,835
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	441,619
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 78,611	45,454
Specialty Health Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2017
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	87,070
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 37,781
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	436,623
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 49,289
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | NY Short-Term Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 6,579
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	11,000
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 6,579
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	163,296
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	112,053
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net, Not Separately Presented	21,189
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	72,432
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2013 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	32,575	32,888	30,546	31,323	33,143
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 241
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,629
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 22,448	20,246	17,077	13,032	5,645
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2014 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	14,881	15,228	13,678	16,469
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 314
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,781
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 11,090	10,355	8,823	3,818
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2015 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	17,427	19,929	25,621
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 579
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	3,246
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 17,430	14,715	7,111
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2016 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	29,382	28,907
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 1,407
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	3,475
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 17,193	8,790
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2017 | NY Short-Term Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	20,428
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	13,849
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2017 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	30,273
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 11,151
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,944
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 8,834
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2010 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	8,658	7,925	4,220	5,049	5,222	$ 7,142	$ 11,218	$ 12,329
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 0
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,311
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 12,641	12,219	11,678	11,135	10,700	10,135	8,456	$ 3,288
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2011 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	17,224	17,157	16,179	15,699	16,569	17,301	18,669
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 60
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,337
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 12,505	11,847	11,186	10,613	10,025	8,544	$ 3,463
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2012 | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	12,876	12,965	12,535	12,522	13,999	15,510
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net	$ 172
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Number of Reported Claims	2,263
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 9,912	$ 9,377	$ 8,949	$ 8,367	$ 7,294	$ 3,222

Liability for Future Policy 133

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Schedule of Historical Claims Duration (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017
Specialty Health Segment Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year One	64.70%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Two	27.70%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Three	2.20%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Four	0.60%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Five	0.00%
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year One	18.30%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Two	22.50%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Three	7.40%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Four	3.50%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Five	2.40%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Six	1.40%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Seven	1.00%
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Eight	0.40%

Liability for Future Policy 134

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short Duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities Table Text Block (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Aggregate Discount	$ 11,707
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-Duration Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Amount	60,724	$ 60,194
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Aggregate Discount	$ 11,707	$ 11,475

Liability for Future Policy 135

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block]: Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 138,131
Short Duration Insurance Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Recoverable For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustments	35,962
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Aggregate Discount	11,707
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	168,683	$ 219,113	$ 245,443	$ 236,803
Other Short-duration Insurance Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	7,410
Short Duration Insurance Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Recoverable For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustments	6,168
Other Long-duration Insurance Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense, Other Reconciling Item	6,297
Specialty Health Segment Member
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	51,710
Short Duration Insurance Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Recoverable For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustments	1,821
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | NY Short-Term Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	6,579
Short Duration Insurance Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Recoverable For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustments	1,124
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member | Group Disability Product Line
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net	72,432
Short Duration Insurance Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Recoverable For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustments	26,849
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Aggregate Discount	$ 11,707	$ 11,475

Long-term Debt _Text Block_ (De

Long-term Debt [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Repayments of debt	$ 0	$ 42,935	$ 2,617
Interest Paid	0	1,865	1,738
Notes Payable to Banks
Debt	$ 0	0
Junior Subordinated Debt
Repayments of debt		$ 38,146
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed		100.00%
Loans Payable
Repayments of debt		$ 4,789	$ 2,617

Income Tax Disclosure _Text 137

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (4,077)	$ 4,637	$ 14,278
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)	29	473	1,012
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)	(4,048)	5,110	15,290
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(9,780)	4,390	673
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	34	55	(59)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(9,746)	4,445	614
Income taxes (benefits)	$ (13,794)	$ 9,555	$ 15,904

Income Tax Disclosure _Text 138

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off			$ 11,589	$ 3,903	$ 0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Newly Enacted Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		21.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Newly Enacted Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Fiscal Year Blended Rate, Percent		28.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Change in Tax Rate, Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			9,402
Deferred Tax Assets, Net			15,645	9,154
Income Taxes Paid (Refunds), Net			397	12,585	$ 10,974
IHCAndNonlifeSubsidiariesExcludingAmicMember | Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards	[1]		338
AMIC | Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards	[2]		144,830
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Utilization, Amount			109,055
IHC Administrative Services Inc.Member
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off			11,589
Income Tax Deduction On Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off			33,110
Health Plan Administrators Subsidiary Member
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off			3,903
Income Tax Deduction On Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off			11,150
AMICSubsidiariesMember
Deferred Tax Assets, Net			18,602	$ 15,427
ValuationAllowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount Due To Change In Projected NOL Utilization			(20,261)
ValuationAllowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount Due To Change In Enacted Tax Rate			$ (6,263)
[1]	Which expire in 2037.
[2]	Which expire in varying amounts through 2034, a significant portion expires in 2020.

Income Tax Disclosure _Text 139

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount	$ 9,918	$ 11,223	$ 15,357
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Exempt Income and Dividends Received Deduction	423	641	796
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount	42	331	619
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Subsidiary Stock Basis Write Off	11,589	3,903	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Health Insurance Excise Tax	0	146	526
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Health Insurer Compensation Limit	192	594	379
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount	9,402	0	0
Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions for Sharebased Compensation	867	0	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount	(208)	1,805	(181)
Income taxes (benefits)	(13,794)	9,555	15,904
AMICSubsidiariesMember
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount	$ (20,261)	$ 0	$ 0

Income Tax Disclosure _Text 140

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Tax Assets, Investments	$ 1,222	$ 3,851
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Impairment Losses	48	596
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic	30,928	50,735
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	1,938	4,322
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	34,136	59,504
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	24,742	23,586
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost	105	114
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Policyholder Liabilities	3,252	4,947
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	4,115	5,274
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	1,625	4,097
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	9,097	14,432
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	15,645	9,154
AMICSubsidiariesMember
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	9,394	35,918
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 18,602	$ 15,427

Stockholders' Equity Note Di141

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	2,289,502
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 46,527	$ 3,522	$ 1,820
TREASURY STOCK, AT COST
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	2,289,502	214,558	143,307
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 46,527	$ 3,522	$ 1,820
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross	72,312
TREASURY STOCK, AT COST | Employee Stock Option
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross	69,012
Private Placement Member
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	703,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 13,975
Tender Offer
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1,385,118
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$ 27,702
IhcShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased				3,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	1,991,058

Stockholders' Equity Note Di142

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (6,964)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	3,181	$ (3,508)	$ (3,462)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	(118)	(5)
Stockholders Equity, Reclassification Of Stranded Tax Effects In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,598)	(6,964)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,964)	(3,440)	22
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	4,892	(1,582)	(256)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	1,711	1,926	3,206
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	(118)	(5)
Unrealized Gains/Losses Purchased from Noncontrolling Interests	0	102	5
Stockholders Equity, Reclassification Of Stranded Tax Effects In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	(815)	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (4,598)	$ (6,964)	$ (3,440)

Stockholders' Equity Note Di143

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]: Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments									$ 2,539	$ 4,502	$ 3,094
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings									0	1,475	228
Income taxes (benefits)									(13,794)	9,555	15,904
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	$ 17,601	$ 5,213	$ 14,307	$ 5,009	$ 8,645	$ 4,366	$ 4,637	$ 115,666	42,130	133,314	30,522
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments									2,640	4,538	5,202
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings									0	1,475	228
Income (loss) before income taxes									2,640	3,063	4,974
Income taxes (benefits)									929	1,137	1,768
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total									$ 1,711	$ 1,926	$ 3,206

Compensation and Employee Be144

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Employee Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years

Compensation and Employee Be145

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block] (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 1,659	$ 0	$ 0
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant | shares	859,300
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	$ 478	420	94
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 316	$ 279	$ 63
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 8.66	$ 2.65
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares	199,000		0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 0	$ 399	$ 278
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	1,659
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	3,535	416	132
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	834	$ 104	$ 22
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$ 1,904
Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized, Period For Recognition 1	2 years 4 months 24 days
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Modified Stock Option Awards Member
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Number of Employees Affected		13
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost		$ 170
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized, Period For Recognition 1	2 years 2 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period | shares	9,900	9,900	7,425
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 28.20	$ 19.15	$ 11.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 187	$ 120	$ 89
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	$ 398
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number | shares	64,900	71,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted | shares	64,900
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised | shares	71,500	54,350	11,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share-based Liabilities Paid	$ 1,309	$ 449	$ 61
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Deferred Compensation Share-based Arrangements, Liability, Current and Noncurrent	$ 22	876
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax		14	28
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense		7	15
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		262	52
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value		$ 212	$ 37
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Cancelled Stock Option Awards Member
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Number of Employees Affected		7
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost		$ 646

Compensation and Employee Be146

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 316	$ 279	$ 63
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	478	420	94
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	794	699	157
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	224	181	55
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	116	83	89
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 454	$ 435	$ 13

Compensation and Employee Be147

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - Employee Stock Option - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	697,180
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	199,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.72
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	203,800
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.82
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	692,380
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 16.62

Compensation and Employee Be148

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - Employee Stock Option	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.02%	1.87%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.58%	0.60%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate	37.44%	12.95%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	4 years 6 months	4 years 6 months

Compensation and Employee Be149

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - Employee Stock Option $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number | shares	692,380
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number | shares	388,713
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 16.62
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 10.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 7,499
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 6,568
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 9 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 year 4 months 24 days

Compensation and Employee Be150

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	17,325
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 22.91	$ 16.20
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	9,900	9,900	7,425
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 28.20	$ 19.15	$ 11.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	8,250
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 15.18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	18,975	17,325

Commitments and Contingencie151

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net		$ 2,117	$ 2,316	$ 3,088
Pending Litigation | Loss Contingency, Nature, Injunctive Relief and Damages Member
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 50,000
Pending Litigation | Loss Contingency, Nature, Amounts Allegedly Owed To Plaintiff Member
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 3,082

Commitments and Contingencie152

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Details
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 2,251
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,953
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	1,929
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	1,460
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	1,125
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	195
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 8,913

Concentration Risk Disclosur153

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets Held by Insurance Regulators		$ 12,819	$ 12,577
Credit Concentration Risk
Fair Value, Concentration of Risk, Investments	[1]	$ 0
Credit Concentration Risk | Stockholders' Equity, Total
Concentration Risk, Percentage		10.00%
Reinsurer Concentration Risk | Stockholders' Equity, Total
Concentration Risk, Percentage		10.00%
[1]	Except for investments in obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs.

Concentration Risk Disclosur154

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]: Ceded Credit Risk [Table Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Reinsurance Premium Paid	$ 380,593	$ 440,285
CededCreditRiskReinsurerNationalGuardianLifeInsuranceCompanyMember | AM Best, A- Rating
Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Reinsurance Premium Paid	223,402
CededCreditRiskReinsurerGuggenheimLifeAndAnnuityCompanyMember | AM Best, B++ Rating
Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Reinsurance Premium Paid	$ 96,664

Dividend Payment Restriction155

Dividend Payment Restrictions [Text Block] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments without Regulatory Approval	$ 23,606
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	2,392	$ 1,800	$ 1,562
MadisonNationalLifeSubsidiariesMember
Payments of Dividends	11,000	5,290	4,600
Statutory Accounting Practices, Dividends Paid with Approval of Regulatory Agency		10,546
StandardSecurityLifeSubsidiariesMember
Payments of Dividends	7,000	12,500	6,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Dividends Paid with Approval of Regulatory Agency		60,000
IndependenceAmericanSubsidiariesMember
Payments of Dividends	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Dividend Payment Restriction156

Dividend Payment Restrictions [Text Block]: Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
MadisonNationalLifeSubsidiariesMember
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount	$ 12,794	$ (1,615)	$ 20,326
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	179,648	178,978
StandardSecurityLifeSubsidiariesMember
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount	3,555	(10,480)	13,198
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	65,600	70,620
IndependenceAmericanSubsidiariesMember
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount	8,728	4,048	$ 2,960
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	$ 72,083	$ 66,812

Segment Reporting Disclosure157

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]: Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues	$ 82,665	$ 83,752	$ 82,237	$ 71,840	$ 78,871	$ 78,542	$ 77,696	$ 75,895	$ 320,494	$ 311,004	$ 530,495
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									28,336	32,065	43,878
Amortization of Intangible Assets									1,333	1,243	1,400
Assets, Total	1,040,623				1,134,464				1,040,623	1,134,464
Segment Reconciling Items | GainOnSaleOfSubsidiaryToJointVentureMember
Revenues									0	0	9,940
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									0	0	9,940
Segment Reconciling Items | Net realized investment gains
Revenues									2,539	4,502	3,094
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									2,539	4,502	3,094
Segment Reconciling Items | Net Impairment Losses Recognized In Earnings
Revenues									0	(1,475)	(228)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									0	(1,475)	(228)
Segment Reconciling Items | Interest Expense
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									0	(1,534)	(1,798)
Specialty Health Segment Member
Revenues									203,810	173,147	185,912
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									13,207	7,202	6,490
Amortization of Intangible Assets									1,333	1,243	1,488
Assets, Total	223,896				172,275				223,896	172,275
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member
Revenues									106,927	103,535	90,314
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									18,278	17,904	15,811
Assets, Total	246,877				243,421				246,877	243,421
Individual life annuities and other Segment Member
Revenues									2,139	2,756	27,119
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									(513)	(2,540)	(122)
Amortization of Other Deferred Charges									1,196	2,340	1,323
Assets, Total	363,693				363,119				363,693	363,119
Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Revenues									2,607	25,614	214,139
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									2,839	16,733	18,828
Assets, Total	78,234				200,026				78,234	200,026
Corporate
Revenues									2,472	2,925	205
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									(8,014)	(8,727)	$ (8,137)
Assets, Total	$ 127,923				$ 155,623				$ 127,923	$ 155,623

Quarterly Financial Informat158

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]: Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details
Revenues	$ 82,665	$ 83,752	$ 82,237	$ 71,840	$ 78,871	$ 78,542	$ 77,696	$ 75,895	$ 320,494	$ 311,004	$ 530,495
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	17,601	5,213	14,307	5,009	7,753	4,366	4,495	5,896	42,130	22,510	27,974
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0	892	0	142	109,770	0	110,804	2,548
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	17,601	5,213	14,307	5,009	8,645	4,366	4,637	115,666	42,130	133,314	30,522
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(23)	32	26	(62)	(116)	(43)	(201)	(9,656)	(27)	(10,016)	(578)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(32)	(16)	(2)	(11)					(61)	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 17,546	$ 5,229	$ 14,331	$ 4,936	$ 8,529	$ 4,323	$ 4,436	$ 106,010	$ 42,042	$ 123,298	$ 29,944
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 1.18	$ 0.35	$ 0.88	$ 0.30	$ 0.45	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.34	$ 2.67	$ 1.28	$ 1.59
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	0	0	0	0	0.05	0	0.01	5.81	0	5.90	0.14
Earnings Per Share, Basic	1.18	0.35	0.88	0.30	0.50	0.25	0.26	6.15	2.67	7.18	1.73
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	1.16	0.34	0.86	0.29	0.44	0.25	0.25	0.33	2.63	1.27	1.58
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	0	0	0	0	0.05	0	0.01	5.75	0	5.82	0.13
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.16	$ 0.34	$ 0.86	$ 0.29	$ 0.49	$ 0.25	$ 0.26	$ 6.08	$ 2.63	$ 7.09	$ 1.71

Summary of Investments, Othe159

Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties: Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Table Text Block (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	$ 483,227
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	476,898
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	476,898
US Treasury and Government
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	95,411
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	94,810
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	94,810
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	182,664
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	179,643
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	179,643
Foreign Government Debt
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	4,227
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	4,150
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	4,150
Public Utility, Bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	15,865
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	15,717
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	15,717
Other Corporate Bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	139,988
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	137,407
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	137,407
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	10,006
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	10,185
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	10,185
Fixed Maturities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	448,161
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	441,912
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	441,912
Industrial, Miscellaneous, and All Others
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	2,612
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	2,490
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	2,490
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	3,588
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	3,630
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	3,630
Equity Securities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	6,200
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	6,120
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	6,120
Short-term Investments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	10,319
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	10,319
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	10,319
Other Long-term Investments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	18,547
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	18,547
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	$ 18,547

Condensed Financial Informat160

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 26,465	$ 22,010	$ 17,500
Short-term investments	50	6,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	441,912	449,487
Equity Method Investments	15,385	19,747
Other Assets	72,912	54,928
Assets, Total	1,040,623	1,134,464
Other Liabilities	56,453	55,477
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	0	68
Liabilities, Total	604,315	695,208
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	2,065	0
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	18,625	18,620
Paid-in capital	124,538	126,468
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(4,598)	(6,964)
Treasury stock, at cost	(63,404)	(17,483)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	356,383	315,918
TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	431,544	436,559
NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,699	2,697
TOTAL EQUITY	434,243	439,256	332,704	$ 309,612
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	1,040,623	1,134,464
Parent Company
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	2,304	3,667	$ 512	$ 389
Short-term investments	0	3,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	27,270	48,819
Equity Method Investments	445,697	425,677
Other Assets	235	408
Assets, Total	475,506	482,071
Other Liabilities	8,886	8,732
Due to Affiliate	25,318	28,697
Accrued Income Taxes	3,411	4,236
Dividends Payable	1,583	1,082
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	0	68
Liabilities, Total	39,198	42,815
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	2,065	0
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	18,625	18,620
Paid-in capital	124,538	126,468
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(4,598)	(6,964)
Treasury stock, at cost	(63,404)	(17,483)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	356,383	315,918
TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	431,544	436,559
NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,699	2,697
TOTAL EQUITY	434,243	439,256
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 475,506	$ 482,071

Condensed Financial Informat161

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	23,000,000	23,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	18,625,458	18,620,508
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	14,890,285	17,102,525
Treasury Stock, Shares	3,735,173	1,517,983
Parent Company
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	23,000,000	23,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	18,625,458	18,620,508
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	14,890,285	17,102,525
Treasury Stock, Shares	3,735,173	1,517,983
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent Company by Consolidated Subsidiaries	$ 12,100	$ 29,800	$ 0

Condensed Financial Informat162

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net Investment Income									$ 16,276	$ 16,570	$ 17,237
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments									2,539	4,502	3,094
Other Income									2,648	12,257	10,267
Revenues	$ 82,665	$ 83,752	$ 82,237	$ 71,840	$ 78,871	$ 78,542	$ 77,696	$ 75,895	320,494	311,004	530,495
Interest Expense, Debt									0	1,534	1,798
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments									1,846	62	405
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									28,336	32,065	43,878
Income taxes (benefits)									(13,794)	9,555	15,904
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	17,601	5,213	14,307	5,009	7,753	4,366	4,495	5,896	42,130	22,510	27,974
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax									0	117,617	4,310
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation									0	6,813	1,762
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0	892	0	142	109,770	0	110,804	2,548
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	17,601	5,213	14,307	5,009	8,645	4,366	4,637	115,666	42,130	133,314	30,522
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries									(88)	(10,016)	(578)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 17,546	$ 5,229	$ 14,331	$ 4,936	$ 8,529	$ 4,323	$ 4,436	$ 106,010	42,042	123,298	29,944
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax									3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total									3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									45,311	129,806	27,060
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests									(88)	(10,134)	(583)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									45,223	119,672	26,477
Parent Company
Net Investment Income									576	146	112
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments									189	(121)	(506)
Other Income									1,533	1,619	1,800
Revenues									2,298	1,644	1,406
Interest Expense, Debt									0	1,443	1,567
General and Administrative Expense									7,675	8,837	5,506
Operating Expenses									7,675	10,280	7,073
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									(5,377)	(8,636)	(5,667)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments									44,854	28,843	32,118
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest									39,477	20,207	26,451
Income taxes (benefits)									(2,653)	(2,303)	(1,523)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									42,130	22,510	27,974
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax									0	117,617	4,310
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation									0	6,813	1,762
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									0	110,804	2,548
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total									42,130	133,314	30,522
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries									(88)	(10,016)	(578)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total									42,042	123,298	29,944
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax									73	114	(51)
Equity in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities of subsidiaries									3,108	(3,622)	(3,411)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total									3,181	(3,508)	(3,462)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									45,311	129,806	27,060
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests									(88)	(10,134)	(583)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									$ 45,223	$ 119,672	$ 26,477

Condensed Financial Informat163

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure: Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	$ 17,601	$ 5,213	$ 14,307	$ 5,009	$ 8,645	$ 4,366	$ 4,637	$ 115,666	$ 42,130	$ 133,314	$ 30,522
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(110,337)	0
Other adjustments to reconcile net income									6,535	7,809	6,724
Other operating activities									725	(11,571)	4,189
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities									28,604	(30,998)	(164,724)
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments									6,849	(6,870)	0
Purchases of fixed maturities									(210,694)	(486,398)	(521,417)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt									193,930	410,983	629,376
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities									28,355	47,285	42,630
Other investing activites									(1,854)	(4,601)	(809)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities									27,600	98,875	168,328
Payments for repurchases of common stock									(46,401)	(3,522)	(1,820)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests									0	(18,111)	(1,734)
Repayment of long-term debt									0	(42,935)	(2,617)
Dividends paid									(1,928)	(1,553)	(1,392)
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation									(1,659)	0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities									(25)	(815)	353
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities									(51,749)	(65,038)	(9,516)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)									4,455	2,839	(5,912)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				22,010				17,500	22,010	17,500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	26,465				22,010				26,465	22,010	17,500
Parent Company
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total									42,130	133,314	30,522
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(110,337)	0
Income Loss From Equity In Subsidiaries, Including Discontinued Operations									(44,854)	(28,843)	(34,698)
Other adjustments to reconcile net income									2,521	3,396	9,204
Other operating activities									(3,121)	(1,939)	550
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities									(3,324)	(4,409)	5,578
Change In Investments In and Advances To Subsidiaries									26,847	81,762	12,398
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments									3,499	(3,501)	0
Purchases of fixed maturities									(46,605)	(94,850)	(20,857)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt									63,568	70,745	5,915
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities									4,640	0	0
Other investing activites									0	(2,995)	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities									51,949	51,161	(2,544)
Payments for repurchases of common stock									(46,401)	(3,925)	(1,820)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests									0	(486)	0
Repayment of long-term debt									0	(38,146)	0
Dividends paid									(1,928)	(1,553)	(1,392)
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation									(1,659)	0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities									0	513	301
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities									(49,988)	(43,597)	(2,911)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)									(1,363)	3,155	123
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 3,667				$ 512	3,667	512	389
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 2,304				$ 3,667				$ 2,304	$ 3,667	$ 512

Supplementary Insurance Info164

Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure: Supplementary Insurance Information For Insurance Companies Disclosure Table Text Block (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	526,986	584,312	689,417
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	6,666	9,786	10,236
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	282,266	262,704	479,534
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	16,276	16,570	17,237
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	135,054	145,231	307,178
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	157,104	132,174	177,641
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	279,121	262,903	479,701
Specialty Health Segment Member
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	53,859	50,943	42,165
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	3,292	6,320	7,005
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	181,851	154,397	171,912
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	5,299	3,272	1,813
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	84,380	81,215	93,916
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	106,223	84,730	85,506
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	179,164	154,333	171,731
Group disability, life and DBL Segment Member
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	137,765	137,428	141,837
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	3,193	3,305	3,060
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	99,953	96,190	85,953
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	6,469	6,469	3,699
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	52,792	52,245	47,646
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	35,857	33,386	26,857
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	99,495	96,454	86,304
Individual life annuities and other Segment Member
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	333,105	341,181	405,327
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	181	161	171
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	210	47	11,904
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	1,536	2,255	7,146
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	241	1,344	11,697
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	2,411	3,952	15,544
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	209	46	11,901
Medical Stop-Loss Segment Member
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	2,257	54,760	100,088
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	252	12,070	209,765
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	1,111	1,700	4,374
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	(2,359)	10,427	153,919
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	2,127	(1,546)	41,392
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	253	12,070	209,765
Corporate
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	1,861	2,874	205
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	10,486	11,652	8,342
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premiums Written	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Supplementary Insurance Info165

Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 340	$ 319	$ 3,524

Supplemental Schedule of Rei166

Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies: Supplemental Schedule Of Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies Table Text Block (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Life Insurance in Force, Gross	$ 13,770,999	$ 12,466,127	$ 12,063,911
Life Insurance in Force, Assumed	7,054	7,848	129,231
Life Insurance in Force, Ceded	6,878,689	6,303,742	6,365,993
Life Insurance in Force, Net	$ 6,899,364	$ 6,170,233	$ 5,827,149
Life Insurance in Force, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.10%	0.10%	2.20%
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 345,467	$ 560,102	$ 596,325
Assumed Premiums Earned	8,369	21,339	33,152
Ceded Premiums Earned	71,570	318,737	149,943
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 282,266	$ 262,704	$ 479,534
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	3.00%	8.10%	6.90%
Accident and Health Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 249,134	$ 461,467	$ 513,814
Assumed Premiums Earned	7,574	19,744	28,822
Ceded Premiums Earned	32,290	276,392	126,613
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 224,418	$ 204,819	$ 416,023
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	3.40%	9.60%	6.90%
Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 56,194	$ 57,938	$ 46,699
Assumed Premiums Earned	795	1,595	4,330
Ceded Premiums Earned	38,899	42,078	23,078
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 18,090	$ 17,455	$ 27,951
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	4.40%	9.10%	15.50%
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Product Line
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 40,139	$ 40,697	$ 35,812
Assumed Premiums Earned	0	0	0
Ceded Premiums Earned	381	267	252
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 39,758	$ 40,430	$ 35,560
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%