| Independence Holding Company (IHC) is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business. The Company provides specialized life and health coverage and related services to commercial customers and individuals. The Company's wholly owned insurance company subsidiaries, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York (Standard Security Life) and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. (Madison National Life) market their products through independent and affiliated brokers, producers and agents. On December 31, 2011, it acquired 78% interest of American Independence Corp. (AMIC), which owns Independence American Insurance Company (Independence American), several managing general underwriters (MGUs) and controlling interests in three agencies. In 2011, AMIC acquired an additional 38% ownership interest in its subsidiary, Independent Producers of America, LLC. |