INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                             

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________________________________________


FORM 10-Q


[X]

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011.


[   ]

Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from: ________ to _________  


Commission File Number: 0-10306


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

 

58-1407235

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT                      06902

                                  (Address of principal executive offices)                                              (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 358-8000


NOT APPLICABLE

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   [X]   No [  ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes   [  ]   No [  ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large Accelerated Filer [    ]

Accelerated Filer   [     ]

Non-Accelerated Filer   [X ]

Smaller Reporting Company   [     ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   [  ]   No   [X]


Class

Outstanding at May 11, 2011

Common stock, $ 1.00  par value

15,833,083 Shares






INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY


INDEX



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

 

 

NO.

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -

4

 

 

March 31, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations -

5

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity -

6

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

7

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

8

 

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

26

 

 

and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

38

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

39

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

39

 

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

39

 

 

 

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

39

 

 

 

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

39

 

 

 

 

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

40

 

 

 

 

Item 5.    Other Information

40

 

 

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

40

 

 

 

Signatures

41

 

 

 

 


Copies of the Company’s SEC filings can be found on its website at www.ihcgroup.com.



2



Forward-Looking Statements


This report on Form 10Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.


Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward-looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.  We describe some of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of IHC’s annual report on Form 10-K as filed with Securities and Exchange Commission.


Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking event discussed in this report may not occur.




3


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

    

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)


 

 

 

March  31, 2011

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

$

50

 

$

53

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

20,778

 

 

41,081

 

Fixed maturities, available-for-sale

 

 

786,021

 

 

793,656

 

Equity securities, available-for-sale

 

 

53,829

 

 

48,073

 

Other investments

 

 

38,023

 

 

36,864

 

Total investments

 

 

898,701

 

 

919,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

11,438

 

 

11,426

 

Due from securities brokers

 

 

12,288

 

 

15,022

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

43,577

 

 

43,465

 

Due and unpaid premiums

 

 

45,838

 

 

48,586

 

Due from reinsurers

 

 

155,220

 

 

154,243

 

Premium and claim funds

 

 

39,758

 

 

37,646

 

Notes and other receivables

 

 

17,247

 

 

16,766

 

Goodwill

 

 

51,713

 

 

51,713

 

Other assets

 

 

65,317

 

 

63,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,341,097

 

$

1,361,792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves-health

 

$

181,345

 

$

181,447

 

Insurance reserves-life and annuity

 

 

278,923

 

 

278,000

 

Funds on deposit

 

 

409,933

 

 

408,566

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

4,212

 

 

4,043

 

Policy claims-health

 

 

15,794

 

 

16,521

 

Policy claims-life

 

 

11,666

 

 

11,809

 

Other policyholders' funds

 

 

20,563

 

 

20,195

 

Due to securities brokers

 

 

8,788

 

 

32,469

 

Due to reinsurers

 

 

30,349

 

 

31,554

 

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

 

 

71,122

 

 

70,497

 

Liabilities related to discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

771

 

Debt

 

 

7,500

 

 

7,500

 

Junior subordinated debt securities

 

 

38,146

 

 

38,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

1,078,341

 

 

1,101,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock (none issued)

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock $1.00 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,072,238 and 15,472,020 shares issued;  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,833,083 and 15,232,865 shares outstanding

 

 

16,072 

 

 

15,472 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

105,868 

 

 

101,003 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

552 

 

 

633 

 

Treasury stock, at cost 239,155 shares

 

 

(1,917)

 

 

(1,917)

 

Retained earnings

 

 

118,601 

 

 

115,437 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

239,176 

 

 

230,628 

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

23,580 

 

 

29,646 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

 

262,756 

 

 

260,274 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

1,341,097 

 

$

1,361,792 


See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



4



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

Health

$

75,723 

$

61,842 

 

Life and annuity

 

10,150 

 

9,042 

 

Net investment income

 

10,116 

 

9,371 

 

Fee income

 

7,377 

 

7,560 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(202)

 

349 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(303)

 

(1,626)

 

Equity income from AMIC

 

 

280 

 

Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC

 

 

27,830 

 

Other income

 

1,458 

 

1,702 

 

 

104,319 

 

116,350 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Health

 

50,576 

 

43,563 

 

Life and annuity

 

13,673 

 

13,265 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

35,986 

 

31,435 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisitions costs

 

1,691 

 

1,318 

 

Interest expense on debt

 

457 

 

471 

 

 

102,383 

 

90,052 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

1,936 

 

26,298 

 

Income taxes (benefits)

 

(1,864)

 

9,921 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

3,800 

 

16,377 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(127)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

3,800 

 

16,250 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

 

(616)

 

(216)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC

$

3,184 

$

16,034 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.21

$

1.06 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

-

 

(.01)

 

Basic income per common share

$

.21

$

1.05 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,479

 

15,341 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.21

$

1.05 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

-

 

(.01)

 

Diluted income per common share

$

.21

$

1.04 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,483

 

15,345 


See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



5



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 (In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER

 

TREASURY

 

 

 

TOTAL IHC

 

CONTROLLING

 

 

 

 

COMMON

 

PAID-IN

 

COMPREHENSIVE

 

STOCK,

 

RETAINED

 

STOCKHOLDERS'

 

INTERESTS IN

 

TOTAL

 

 

STOCK

 

CAPITAL

 

INCOME (LOSS)

 

AT COST

 

EARNINGS

 

EQUITY

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2010

$

15,472

$

101,003 

$

633 

$

(1,917)

$

115,437 

$

230,628 

$

29,646 

$

260,274 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,184 

 

3,184 

 

616 

 

3,800 

Net change in unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

(94)

 

 

 

 

 

(94)

 

(31)

 

(125)

 

Total comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,090 

 

585 

 

3,675 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquire noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interests in American

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Independence Corp.

 

600

 

4,430 

 

13 

 

 

 

 

 

5,043 

 

(6,043)

 

(1,000)

Acquire noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interests in Wisconsin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Associates

 

 

 

391 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

391 

 

(391)

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expenses and related

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tax benefits

 

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

 

(2)

Distributions to noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(229)

 

(229)

Other capital transactions

 

 

 

46 

 

 

 

 

 

(20)

 

26 

 

12 

 

38 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH  31, 2011

$

16,072

$

105,868 

$

552 

$

(1,917)

$

118,601 

$

239,176 

$

23,580 

$

262,756 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 








See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



6




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2011

 

 

2010

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

3,800 


$

16,250 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from

 

 


 

 

 

 operating  activities:

 

 


 

 

 

Gain on bargain purchase of AMIC

 


 

(27,830)

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 


 

127 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

1,691 


 

1,318 

 

Net realized investment (gains) losses

 

202 


 

(349)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

303 


 

1,626 

 

Equity income from AMIC and other equity method investments

 

(542)


 

(379)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,123 


 

1,164 

 

Share-based compensation expenses

 

138 


 

179 

 

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

 

(605)


 

11,894 

 

Other

 

878 


 

110 

  Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 


 

 

 

Change in insurance liabilities

 

279 


 

(13,878)

 

Additions to deferred acquisition costs, net

 

(1,722)


 

(1,021)

 

Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers

 

(2,181)


 

9,243 

 

Change in premium and claim funds

 

(2,112)


 

9,540 

 

Change in current income tax liability

 

(1,621)


 

(2,464)

 

Change in due and unpaid premiums

 

2,748 


 

6,422 

 

Change in other assets

 

(1,122)


 

282 

 

Change in other liabilities

 

1,279 


 

(13,292)

 

Net change in cash from operating activities of continuing operations

 

2,536 


 

(1,058)

 

Net change in cash from operating activities of discontinued operations

 


 

(408)

 

 

 


 

 

 

Net change in cash from operating activities

 

2,536 


 

(1,466)

 

 

 


 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 


 

 

 

Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers

 

(20,947)


 

(25,744)

 

Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements

 

20,303 


 

21,806 

 

Sales of equity securities

 

14,993 


 

18,115 

 

Purchases of equity securities

 

(19,015)


 

(6,530)

 

Sales of fixed maturities

 

89,904 


 

147,571 

 

Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities

 

17,799 


 

29,891 

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

 

(103,417)


 

(183,739)

 

Additional investments in other investments, net of distributions

 

(617)


 

293 

 

Cash acquired in acquisition of AMIC, net of cash paid

 


 

4,562 

 

Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired

 


 

(3,469)

 

Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests in AMIC

 

(1,000)


 

 

Cash received in acquisition of policy blocks

 


 

1,194 

 

Change in notes and other receivables

 

(481)


 

1,134 

 

Other

 

(372)


 

(402)

 

 

 


 

 

 

Net change in cash from investing activities

 

(2,850)


 

4,682 

 

 

 


 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY)  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 


 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 


 

-

 

Repurchases of common stock

 


 

(1,254)

 

Excess tax expense from expirations of stock options

 

(117)


 

(8)

 

Proceeds  of investment-type insurance contracts

 

803 


 

2,955 

 

Dividends paid

 

(381)


 

(386)

 

Other

 

21 


 

 

Net change in cash from financing activities

 

326 


 

1,307 

 

 

 


 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

12 


 

4,523 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

11,426 


 

7,394 

 

 

 


 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

11,438 


$

11,917 


See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



7


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


Note 1.  

Significant Accounting Policies and Practices


(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 wholly owned insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life") and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"); (ii) its majority owned insurance company, Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”); and (iii) its marketing and administrative companies, including IHC Administrative Services, Inc., managing general underwriters ("MGUs") in which it owns a significant voting interest, IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”), Actuarial Management Corporation (“AMC”), MedWatch, LLC and Hospital Bill Analysis, LLC.  These companies are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Insurance Group," and IHC and its subsidiaries (including the Insurance Group) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company." At March 31, 2011, IHC also owns a 63.0% interest in American Independence Corp. (“AMIC”).

 

Geneve Corporation, a diversified financial holding company, and its affiliated entities held approximately 52% of IHC's outstanding common stock at March 31, 2011.


(B)

Basis of Presentation


The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 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; (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. IHC’s annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been included. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be anticipated for the entire year.


(C)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the existing requirements for pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures, and expands the supplemental pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures, for public companies that have completed business acquisitions. The amendments in this guidance were effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2011, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated



8


financial statements.


In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance that amends existing goodwill impairment test standards to include a requirement that entities perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts if it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. This guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2011, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In January 2010, the FASB issued standards requiring entities to provide the activity of Level 3 security purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2011, did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted


In April 2011, the FASB issued guidance that amends existing standards with regards to transfers of financial assets under repurchase and other agreements that entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem the assets prior to maturity. Specifically, with respect to assessing effective control in such agreements, the criteria that the transferor must have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even upon the transferee's default, has been eliminated; as has the corresponding criterion calling for the transferor to have obtained cash or other sufficient collateral to purchase replacement assets from a third party, which was required to demonstrate such ability. This guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In October 2010, the FASB issued guidance that specifies the accounting treatment for the costs incurred by insurance entities when acquiring new and renewal insurance contracts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied prospectively upon adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the amendments in this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.


(D)       Subsequent Events


Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Company has evaluated all such events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date herein of March 31, 2011. The effects of all subsequent events that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including estimates, if any, have been recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011. The Company did not recognize subsequent events that provided evidence about conditions that arose after the balance sheet date.




9


Note 2.

 

American Independence Corp.


AMIC is an insurance holding company engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business. AMIC does business with the Insurance Group, including reinsurance treaties under which, in 2010, Standard Security Life and Madison National Life ceded to Independence American an average of 20% of their medical stop-loss business, 8% of a majority of their fully insured health business and 20% of their New York Statutory Disability business.


In January 2011, a subsidiary of IHC acquired 200,000 shares of AMIC common stock from a noncontrolling interest for $1,000,000 cash. In February and March 2011, IHC acquired an aggregate 900,325 shares of AMIC common stock from noncontrolling interests in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate 600,218 shares of IHC’s common stock in various private placements of unregistered securities under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, the shares are "restricted securities", subject to a legend and will not be freely tradable in the United States until the shares are registered for resale under the Securities Act, or to the extent they are tradable under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any other available exemption. As a result of these transactions, the Company: (i) recorded a $95,000 credit to paid-in capital representing the difference between the fair  value of the consideration paid and the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest; and (ii) increased its ownership interest in AMIC to 63.0%.


Acquisition of AMIC in 2010


In March 2010, IHC acquired a controlling interest in AMIC as a result of the purchase of AMIC common stock in the open market. The principal reasons for acquiring control were: (i) the low market price of the AMIC stock; (ii) the improved financial presentation for IHC resulting from the consolidation of financial reporting; and (iii) a closer relationship that will create greater long-term value for both companies. The acquisition furthers IHC's goal of creating efficiencies by integrating the back office operations of our MGUs and marketing companies. Share purchases of 27,668 shares, or $141,000, through March 5, 2010 (the "Acquisition Date"), totaling 0.33% of voting equity interest, brought the total of AMIC shares owned by the Company to more than 50% of AMIC's outstanding common stock and as a result, IHC has included AMIC’s consolidated assets and liabilities and results of operations, subsequent to the Acquisition Date, in its condensed consolidated financial results.


In determining the bargain purchase gain with regard to the acquisition of the controlling interest in AMIC, IHC first recognized a gain of $2,201,000 as a result of remeasuring its equity interest in AMIC to its fair value of $22,013,000 immediately before the acquisition based on the closing market price of AMIC's common stock. Then, upon the acquisition of a controlling interest on March 5, 2010, the Company consolidated the net assets of AMIC.  Accordingly, the Company determined the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed from AMIC on the Acquisition Date.  The fair value of the net assets acquired exceeded the sum of: (i) the fair value of the consideration paid; (ii) the fair value of IHC’s equity investment prior to the acquisition; and (iii) the fair value of the noncontrolling interests in AMIC, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $25,629,000. The total gain, amounting to $27,830,000, pre-tax, is included in gain on bargain purchase of AMIC on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. This gain is a result of the quoted market price of AMIC being significantly less than the fair value of the net assets of AMIC.  This disparity is due to the low trading volume in AMIC shares, and a discount on the shares traded due to a lack of control by minority shareholders.  The fair value of the noncontrolling interests in AMIC was based on the closing market price of AMIC’s common stock on the Acquisition Date.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $12,200,000 of intangible assets. Of this amount, $1,700,000 represents the fair value of agent and marketing contracts and relationships, $1,000,000 represents the fair value of a domain name, and $2,000,000 represents the fair value of customer lists and all are amortizable over the life of the respective intangible asset. The remaining $7,500,000 represents non-amortizable intangible assets consisting of the fair value of insurance licenses with indefinite lives. As the



10


AMIC acquisition was accounted for as a bargain purchase, the Company did not record goodwill in connection with the transaction.


The following table presents the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of AMIC on the Acquisition Date based on their respective fair values (in thousands).


 

 

 

 

Investments

 

$

58,418

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

4,761

Identifiable intangible assets

 

 

12,200

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

10,654

Other assets

 

 

31,127

 

 

 

 

 

Total identifiable assets

 

 

117,160

 

 

 

 

Insurance liabilities

 

 

27,671

Other liabilities

 

 

19,023

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

46,694

 

 

 

 

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

70,466

 

 

 

 

Purchase consideration

 

 

(71)

Fair value of equity investment prior to the acquisition

 

 

(22,013)

Noncontrolling interests in AMIC

 

 

(22,065)

Elimination of the fair value adjustment related to AMIC’s

 

 

 

 

investment in Majestic

 

 

(688)

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on bargain purchase

 

 

25,629

 

Gain on fair value of equity investment prior to the acquisition

 

 

2,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gain on bargain purchase of AMIC, pretax

 

 

27,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

11,097

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gain on bargain purchase of AMIC, after tax

 

$

16,733



For the period from the Acquisition Date to March 31, 2010, the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations includes revenues and net income of $7,616,000 and $367,000, respectively, from AMIC.


The unaudited pro forma revenues and operating results, had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the quarter ended March 31, 2010, were $ 102,121,000 and $ (12,000), respectively. The unaudited pro forma information presented is not indicative of the results of operations in future periods, nor does it necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed as of the beginning of the applicable period. Pro forma adjustments to revenues principally reflect the elimination of intercompany fee income, the elimination of the Company’s equity income related to AMIC and the elimination of the gain resulting from the bargain purchase. Pro forma adjustments to net income principally reflect the elimination of the Company’s equity income related to AMIC and the elimination of the gain resulting from the bargain purchase.


During the period from January 1, 2010 to the Acquisition Date (the “Stub Period”), IHC recorded $280,000 of equity income from its investment in AMIC, representing IHC's proportionate share of income



11


based on its ownership interest during that period. AMIC paid no dividends on its common stock during the Stub Period.


The following disclosures summarize the effects of certain transactions between IHC and its subsidiaries with AMIC during the Stub Period. Subsequent to the Acquisition Date, the effects of these transactions are eliminated in consolidation. IHC and its subsidiaries recorded income of $208,000 from service agreements with AMIC and its subsidiaries. These are reimbursements to IHC and its subsidiaries, at agreed upon rates including an overhead factor, for management services provided by IHC and its subsidiaries, including accounting, legal, compliance, underwriting and claims. The Company ceded premiums to AMIC of $5,867,000. Benefits to policyholders on business ceded to AMIC were $3,020,000. Additionally, AMIC subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide administrative services (including premium collection, medical management and claims adjudication) for a substantial portion of the Medical Stop-Loss business written by the insurance subsidiaries of IHC. IHC recorded gross premiums of $8,452,000 and net commission expense of $326,000 for these services. The Company also contracts for several types of insurance coverage (e.g. directors and officers and professional liability coverage) jointly with AMIC. The cost of this coverage is allocated between the Company and AMIC according to the type of risk, and IHC’s portion is recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.


Note 3.

Income Per Common Share


For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, income per share calculations, based on income from continuing operations attributable to the common shareholders of IHC, are shown below (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

3,800

$

16,377

 

 

 

 

 

Less income from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

in subsidiaries

 

(616)

 

(216)

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to IHC shareholders, net of tax

 

3,184

 

16,161

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

-

 

(127)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to IHC shareholders

$

3,184

$

16,034

 

 

 

 

 


Included in the diluted income per share calculations for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are 4,000 incremental shares, from the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and the assumed vesting of dilutive restricted stock, computed using the treasury stock method.




12


Note  4.

Investments


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:


 

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

COST

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

(In thousands)

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

264,192

$

2,989

$

(3,893)

$

263,288

 

CMOs- residential (1)

 

39,528

 

7,164

 

(2,745)

 

43,947

 

CMOs - commercial

 

1,447

 

-

 

(697)

 

750

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

13,699

 

306

 

(2)

 

14,003

 

Agency MBS - residential (2)

 

9,567

 

187

 

(8)

 

9,746

 

GSEs (3)

 

71,772

 

395

 

(432)

 

71,735

 

States and political subdivisions

 

387,663

 

1,675

 

(6,786)

 

382,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

787,868

$

12,716

$

(14,563)

$

786,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

$

7,328

$

400

$

(102)

$

7,626

 

Preferred stock - perpetuals

 

34,117

 

1,047

 

(271)

 

34,893

 

Preferred stock - with maturities

 

9,790

 

1,520

 

-

 

11,310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

51,235

$

2,967

$

(373)

$

53,829

 

 

 



 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

COST

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

(In thousands)

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

272,061

$

3,595

$

(3,661)

$

271,995

 

CMOs - residential (1)

 

58,829

 

6,662

 

(1,847)

 

63,644

 

CMOs - commercial

 

1,447

 

-

 

(639)

 

808

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

16,617

 

351

 

-

 

16,968

 

Agency MBS - residential (2)

 

10,069

 

206

 

(51)

 

10,224

 

GSEs (3)

 

70,199

 

510

 

(182)

 

70,527

 

States and political subdivisions

 

365,578

 

2,070

 

(8,158)

 

359,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

794,800

$

13,394

$

(14,538)

$

793,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

$

4,600

$

167

$

(98)

$

4,669

 

Preferred stock - perpetuals

 

31,530

 

1,065

 

(315)

 

32,280

 

Preferred stock - with maturities

 

9,790

 

1,334

 

-

 

11,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

45,920

$

2,566

$

(413)

$

48,073


(1)

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”).

(2)

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”).

(3)

Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) which are the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Banks. GSEs are private enterprises established and chartered by the Federal Government.




13


Unrealized gains (losses) on certain preferred stocks with maturities at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 include $1,763,000 related to the non-credit related component of other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in prior periods.


The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities at March 31, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 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. The average life of mortgage-backed securities is affected by prepayments on the underlying loans and, therefore, is materially shorter than the original stated maturity.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% OF

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

 

FAIR

 

TOTAL FAIR

 

 

 

COST

 

 

VALUE

 

VALUE

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

35,405

 

$

35,728

 

4.6%

Due after one year through five years

 

 

163,529

 

 

163,506

 

20.8%

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

127,445

 

 

126,669

 

16.1%

Due after ten years

 

 

344,927

 

 

339,789

 

43.2%

 

 

 

671,306

 

 

665,692

 

84.7%

CMO and MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 year

 

 

56,639

 

 

60,577

 

7.7%

 

20 year

 

 

7,549

 

 

7,515

 

1.0%

 

30 year

 

 

52,374

 

 

52,237

 

6.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

787,868

 

$

786,021

 

100.0%


The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities that have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:



 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

March 31, 2011

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

127,571

 

$

3,679

 

$

12,222

 

$

214

 

$

139,793

$

3,893

CMOs - residential

 

11,967

 

 

1,390

 

 

7,489

 

 

1,355

 

 

19,456

 

2,745

CMO's - commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

750

 

 

697

 

 

750

 

697

U.S. Government obligations

 

2,230

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,230

 

2

Agency MBS residential

 

5,003

 

 

8

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5,003

 

8

GSEs

 

54,240

 

 

425

 

 

1,194

 

 

7

 

 

55,434

 

432

States and political

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subdivisions

 

239,125

 

 

5,817

 

 

29,316

 

 

969

 

 

268,441

 

6,786

Total fixed maturities

 

440,136

 

 

11,321

 

 

50,971

 

 

3,242

 

 

491,107

 

14,563

Common stocks

 

1,161

 

 

102

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,161

 

102

Preferred stocks-perpetual

 

9,212

 

 

256

 

 

980

 

 

15

 

 

10,192

 

271

Total temporarily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impaired securities

$

450,509

 

$

11,679

 

$

51,951

 

$

3,257

 

$

502,460

$

14,936




14



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

December 31, 2010

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

103,247

 

$

3,404

 

$

12,253

 

$

257

 

$

115,500

$

3,661

CMOs - residential

 

12,494

 

 

476

 

 

16,979

 

 

1,371

 

 

29,473

 

1,847

CMOs - commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

808

 

 

639

 

 

808

 

639

Agency MBS (2) residential

 

5,085

 

 

51

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

5,085

 

51

GSEs

 

32,481

 

 

170

 

 

1,389

 

 

12

 

 

33,870

 

182

States and political

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subdivisions

 

195,589

 

 

5,292

 

 

37,655

 

 

2,866

 

 

233,244

 

8,158

Total fixed maturities

 

348,896

 

 

9,393

 

 

69,084

 

 

5,145

 

 

417,980

 

14,538

Common stocks

 

999

 

 

98

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

999

 

98

Preferred stocks-perpetual

 

14,845

 

 

315

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

14,845

 

315

Total temporarily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impaired securities

$

364,740

 

$

9,806

 

$

69,084

 

$

5,145

 

$

433,824

$

14,951



At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, a total of 145 and 117 fixed maturities, respectively, and 12 and 13 equity securities, respectively, were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 a total of 23 and 27 fixed maturities, respectively, and 1 and nil equity securities, respectively, had continuous unrealized losses for 12 months or longer. 


Substantially all of the unrealized losses on fixed maturities at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 relate to investment grade securities and are attributable to changes in market interest rates and general disruptions in the credit market subsequent to purchase. The unrealized loss on corporate securities and state and political subdivisions are due to wider spreads. Spreads have widened as investors shifted funds to US Treasuries in response to the current market turmoil.  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 March 31, 2011


At March 31, 2011, the Company had $25,054,000 invested in whole loan CMOs backed by Alt-A mortgages. Of this amount, 47.5% were in CMOs that originated in 2005 or earlier and 52.5% were in CMOs that originated in 2006. The unrealized losses on all other CMO’s relate to prime rate CMO’s and are primarily attributed to general disruptions in the credit market subsequent to purchase. The Company’s mortgage security portfolio has no exposure to sub-prime mortgages.



Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Evaluations


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



15


the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.  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 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, 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 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. 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 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the purpose of other-than-temporary impairment evaluations, preferred stocks with maturities are treated in a manner similar to debt securities. Declines in the creditworthiness of the issuer of debt securities with both debt and equity-like features requires the use of the equity model in analyzing the security for 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 included in other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.




16


Based on management’s review of the portfolio, which considered these factors, the Company recorded the following losses for other-than-temporary impairments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

$

303

$

1,626



For the three months ended March 31, 2011, other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities of $303,000 consist of credit losses recorded as a result of expected cash flows of a debt security less than the debt security’s amortized cost. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities of $ 1,626,000 consist of $894,000 recorded as a result of expected cash flows of certain debt securities less than the securities’ amortized cost and $732,000 recorded as a result of the company’s intent to sell certain municipal debt securities prior to the recovery of their amortized cost bases.  No losses for other-than-temporary impairments were recognized in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010.


At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, cumulative credit losses for other-than-temporary impairments recorded on securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income was $1,763,000.     


Further deterioration in credit quality of the companies backing the securities, further deterioration in the condition of the financial services industry, a continuation of the current imbalance in liquidity that exists in the marketplace, a continuation or worsening of the current economic recession, or additional declines in real estate values may further affect the fair value of these securities and increase the potential that certain unrealized losses be designated as other-than-temporary in future periods and the Company may incur additional write-downs.


Note 5.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)


Net realized investment gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

$

(1,495)

$

159

 

Common stocks

 

(45)

 

87

 

Preferred stocks

 

1,338 

 

41

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

(202)

 

287

 

Other

 

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

$

(202)

$

349


For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company realized gross gains of $3,532,000 and realized gross losses of $3,734,000 on sales of available-for-sale securities. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company realized gross gains of $1,736,000 and realized gross losses of $1,449,000 on sales of available-for-sale securities.




17


Note 6.

Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments


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 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.


Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.


Level 3 - Instruments where significant value drivers are unobservable.


The following section describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different assets 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, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipals, GSEs and certain preferred stocks that were priced with observable market inputs. Level 3 securities consist of CMO securities, primarily Alt-A mortgages.  For these securities, we use industry-standard pricing methodologies, including discounted cash flow models, whose inputs are based on management’s assumptions and available market information. Further we retain independent pricing vendors to assist in valuing certain instruments.

    

  The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively (in thousands):


March 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

263,288

$

-

$

263,288

 

CMOs - residential

 

-

 

 

16,180

 

27,767

 

43,947

 

CMOs - commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

750

 

750

 

US Government obligations

 

-

 

 

14,003

 

-

 

14,003

 

Agency MBS - residential

 

-

 

 

9,746

 

-

 

9,746

 

GSEs

 

-

 

 

71,735

 

-

 

71,735

 

States and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

382,552

 

-

 

382,552

 

Total fixed maturities

 

-

 

 

757,504

 

28,517

 

786,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

 

7,626

 

 

-

 

-

 

7,626

 

Preferred stocks - perpetual

 

34,893

 

 

-

 

-

 

34,893

 

Preferred stocks - with maturities

 

11,310

 

 

-

 

-

 

11,310

 

Total equity securities

 

53,829

 

 

-

 

-

 

53,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

53,829

 

$

757,504

$

28,517

$

839,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

271,995

$

-

$

271,995

 

CMOs - residential

 

-

 

 

26,187

 

37,457

 

63,644

 

CMOs - commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

808

 

808

 

US Government obligations

 

-

 

 

16,968

 

-

 

16,968

 

Agency MBS - residential

 

-

 

 

10,224

 

-

 

10,224

 

GSEs

 

-

 

 

70,527

 

-

 

70,527

 

States and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

359,490

 

-

 

359,490

 

Total fixed maturities

 

-

 

 

755,391

 

38,265

 

793,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

 

4,669

 

 

-

 

-

 

4,669

 

Preferred stocks - perpetual

 

32,280

 

 

-

 

-

 

32,280

 

Preferred stocks - with maturities

 

11,124

 

 

-

 

-

 

11,124

 

Total equity securities

 

48,073

 

 

-

 

-

 

48,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

48,073

 

$

755,391

$

38,265

$

841,729


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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. At March 31, 2011, there were no transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. No securities were transferred out of Level 2 and into the Level 3 category at March 31, 2011. 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. No securities were transferred out of the Level 3 category in 2011. The changes in the carrying value of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

CMOs

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

Commercial

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

$

37,457 

$

808 

$

38,265 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains(losses) included in earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(364)

 

 

(364)

 

Other-than-temporary impairments

 

(303)

 

 

(303)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

428 

 

(58)

 

370 

Sales of securities

 

(8,075)

 

 

(8,075)

Repayments and amortization of fixed maturities

 

(1,376)

 

 

(1,376)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$

27,767 

$

750 

$

28,517 




19


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments not disclosed elsewhere in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:


(A)

Policy Loans


The fair value of policy loans is estimated by projecting aggregate loan cash flows to the end of the expected lifetime period of the life insurance business at the average policy loan rates, and discounting them at a current market interest rate.


(B)

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.


(C)

Debt


The fair value of debt with variable interest rates approximates its carrying amount. The fair value of fixed rate debt is estimated by discounting the cash flows using current market interest rates.


The estimated fair values of financial instruments not disclosed elsewhere in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows:


 

 

 

March  31, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

 

Fair

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Value

 

Amount

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy loans

 

$

23,301

 

$

28,402

$

23,216

 

$

28,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds on deposit

 

$

409,933

 

$

412,441

$

408,566

 

$

411,036

 

Debt and junior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subordinated debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

securities

 

 

45,646

 

 

45,646

 

45,646

 

 

45,646





20


Note 7.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


The change in the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets (included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets) for the first quarter of 2011 is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

Definitive

 

Indefinite

 

Intangible

 

 

Goodwill

 

Lives

 

Lives

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

$

51,713

$

12,081 

$

7,997

$

20,078 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized software development

 

-

 

50 

 

-

 

50 

Amortization expense

 

-

 

(579)

 

-

 

(579)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2011

$

51,713

$

11,552 

$

7,997

$

19,549 



Note 8.

Share-Based Compensation


IHC and AMIC each have share-based compensation plans. The following is a summary of the activity pertaining to each of these plans. AMIC disclosures reflect activity subsequent to the Acquisition Date.


A)  IHC Share-Based Compensation Plans


Total share-based compensation was $122,000 and $179,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Related tax benefits of $49,000 and $71,000 were recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.


Under the terms of IHC’s stock-based compensation plans, option exercise prices are more than or equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms range from five to ten years; and vesting periods are three years for employee options.  The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock, share appreciation rights (“SARs”) and share-based performance awards. Restricted shares are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and have a three year vesting period. Exercise prices of SARs are more than or equal to the quoted market price of IHC shares at the date of the grant and have three year vesting periods. At March 31, 2011, there were 693,365 shares available for future stock-based compensation grants under IHC’s stock incentive plans.


Stock Options


The Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 is as follows:


 

 

Shares

 

Weighted- Average

 

 

Under Option

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

756,480

 

$

11.68

Expired

 

(46,750)

 

22.55

March 31, 2011

 

709,730

 

 

10.96




21


The following table summarizes information regarding outstanding and exercisable options as of March 31, 2011:


 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

709,730

 

401,862

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

10.96

$

11.70

Aggregate intrinsic value for all options

$

-

$

-

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

3.0 years

 

2.5 years


The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. No options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The weighted average grant-date fair-value of options granted during the three months ended 2010 was $1.57 per share. The assumptions set forth in the table below were used to value the stock options granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010:


 

 

 

 

2010

Weighted-average risk-free interest rate

 

 

 

2.3%

Annual dividend rate per share

 

 

$

.05

Weighted-average volatility factor of the Company's common stock

 

 

 

45.0%

Weighted-average expected term of options

 

 

 

4.5 years


Compensation expense of $110,000 and $119,000 was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for the portion of the grant-date fair value of stock options vesting during that period.


No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010.


As of March 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was $424,000 which is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite weighted-average service period of 1.8 years.


Restricted Stock


Restricted stock expense was $5,000 and $12,000, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No shares of restricted stock were issued by the Company, or vested, during the first three months of 2011 or 2010.


As of March 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards was $20,000 which is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite weighted-average service period of 1.5 years.


SARs and Share-Based Performance Awards


The fair value of SARs 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 fair value of the SARs continue to be recognized as compensation expense in the period of the change until settlement. No SARs were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010. Included in Other Liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are liabilities of $94,000 and $79,000, respectively, pertaining to SARs. Other outstanding awards include share-based performance awards. Compensation costs for these awards are recognized and accrued as performance conditions are met, based on the current share price. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, IHC recorded $(9,000) and $21,000, respectively, of compensation costs for these awards.



22


There were no payments related to these awards made in 2011. The intrinsic value of share-based performance awards paid during the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $51,000.


B)

AMIC Share-Based Compensation Plans


Total AMIC share-based compensation expense was $16,000 and $7,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010, respectively.  Related tax benefits of $5,000 and $3,000 were recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010, respectively.


Under the terms of the AMIC’s stock-based compensation plan, option exercise prices are equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms are ten years; and vesting periods range from three to four years.  AMIC may also grant shares of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and share-based performance awards.  Restricted shares are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant, and have a three year vesting period.


Stock Options


The following table summarizes information regarding AMIC’s outstanding and exercisable options for the three months ended March 31, 2011:


 

 

Shares

 

Weighted- Average

 

 

Under Option

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

359,234

 

$

9.95

Expired

 

(31,668)

 

4.50

Exercised

 

(4,722)

 

4.50

March 31, 2011

 

322,844

 

 

10.56


The following table summarizes information regarding AMIC’s outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2010:


 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

322,844

 

309,510

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

10.56

$

10.81

Aggregate intrinsic value for all options

$

9,817

$

6,817

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

3.44 years

 

3.21 years


The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. No options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or during the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010.


Compensation expense of $12,000 and $5,000 was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010, respectively, for the portion of the grant-date fair value of AMIC’s stock options vesting during the period.


AMIC received cash proceeds of $21,000 upon the exercise of 4,722 options with an intrinsic value of $2,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2011. No options were exercised during the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010.


As of March 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to AMIC’s non-vested options was $39,000 which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods.




23


Restricted Stock


AMIC issued 12,000 restricted stock awards in the second quarter of 2008, with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $6.92 per share.  There were no restricted shares issued or vested under AMIC’s plan during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or during the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010. Restricted stock expense was $4,000 and $2,000 for the period between the Acquisition Date and March 31, 2010, respectively.


As of March 31, 2011, there was approximately $4,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to AMIC’s non-vested restricted stock which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods.


Note 9.

 

Income Taxes


The provision for income taxes shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was computed based on the Company's actual results which approximate the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the balance of the current fiscal year in accordance with consolidated life/non-life group income tax regulations. Such regulations adopt a subgroup method in determining consolidated taxable income, whereby taxable income is determined separately for the life insurance company group and the non-life insurance company group.


The deferred income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2011 allocated to stockholders' equity (principally for net unrealized losses on investment securities) was $57,000, representing the decrease in the related deferred tax liability from $360,000 at December 31, 2010 to $303,000 at March 31, 2011.


Included in the $1,900,000 benefit for income taxes recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011 is a deferred income tax benefit of $2,319,000 associated with IHC’s investment in AMIC. As the result of management’s intention to adopt tax planning strategies to recover IHC’s investment in AMIC in a tax-free manner, the cumulative Federal and State deferred income tax liabilities established as of December 31, 2010 for temporary differences between IHC’s book value and tax basis in AMIC became permanent. Accordingly, IHC released its previously recorded deferred income tax liabilities and will not record deferred income taxes in the first quarter of 2011 and future periods for any earnings or stockholders’ equity adjustments relating to IHC’s investment in AMIC.


At March 31, 2011, AMIC, had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $272,600,000 for federal income tax purposes which expire between 2019 and 2029. The federal deferred tax asset relative to AMIC included in other assets on IHC’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2011 was $9,786,000, net of a valuation allowance of $86,087,000. AMIC continues to file its own separate income tax return and is not included in the consolidated tax return of IHC.


Note 10.

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information


Tax payments, net of tax refunds, were $157,000 and $210,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.


Cash payments for interest were $464,000 and $471,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  


Note 11.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)


The components of comprehensive income (loss) include: (i) net income or loss reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) the after-tax net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale, including the subsequent increases and decreases in fair value of



24


available-for-sale securities previously impaired; and (iii) the non-credit related component of other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities, net of tax.


The comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

3,800 

$

16,250 

Unrealized gains arising

 

 

 

 

 

during the period, net of income taxes

 

(125)

 

4,424 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

3,675 

 

20,674 

Less comprehensive income attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling interests

 

(585)

 

(216)

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to IHC

$

3,090 

$

20,458 


Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are after-tax adjustments of $1,132,000 related to the non-credit related component of other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in prior years. No losses for other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities were recognized in other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2011.


Note 12.

 Segment Reporting


The Insurance Group principally engages in the life and health insurance business. Information by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is presented below (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss (A)

$

30,635 

$

27,900 

Fully Insured Health (B)

 

43,239 

 

30,874 

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL (C)

 

15,257 

 

17,158 

Individual life, annuities and other

 

15,143 

 

14,095 

Corporate

 

550 

 

27,600 

 

 

104,824 

 

117,627 

Net realized investment gains

 

(202)

 

349 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(303)

 

(1,626)

 

$

104,319 

$

116,350 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss (A)

$

(27)

$

593 

Fully Insured Health(B) (D)

 

3,363 

 

1,154 

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL (C)

 

(184)

 

(515)

Individual life, annuities and other

 

14 

 

133 

Corporate

 

(268)

 

26,681 

 

 

2,898 

 

28,046 

Net realized investment gains

 

(202)

 

349 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(303)

 

(1,626)

Interest expense

 

(457)

 

(471)

 

$

1,936 

$

26,298 




25



(A)

The amount includes equity income from AMIC (prior to its acquisition) of $14,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.


(B)

The amount includes equity income from AMIC (prior to its acquisition) of $244,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.


(C)

The amount includes equity income from AMIC (prior to its acquisition) of $22,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.


(D)

The Fully Insured Health segment includes amortization of intangible assets recorded as a result of acquisition accounting for the recent acquisitions. Total amortization expense was $607,000 and $491,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization expense for the other segments is insignificant.


ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of Independence Holding Company ("IHC") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the related Notes thereto appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report.


Overview


Independence Holding Company, a Delaware corporation ("IHC"), is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business through: (i) its wholly owned insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life") and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"); (ii) its majority owned insurance company, Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”); and (iii) its marketing and administrative companies, including IHC Administrative Services, Inc., managing general underwriters ("MGUs") in which it owns a significant voting interest, IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”), Actuarial Management Corporation (“AMC”), MedWatch, LLC and Hospital Bill Analysis, LLC.  These companies are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Insurance Group," and IHC and its subsidiaries (including the Insurance Group) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company." At March 31, 2011, IHC also owns a 63.0% interest in American Independence Corp. (“AMIC”).


While management considers a wide range of factors in its strategic planning and decision-making, underwriting profit is consistently emphasized as the primary goal in all decisions as to whether or not to increase our retention in a core line, expand into new products, acquire an entity or a block of business, or otherwise change our business model.  Management's assessment of trends in healthcare and morbidity, with respect to medical stop-loss, fully insured medical, disability and New York State short-term statutory disability benefit product ("DBL"); mortality rates with respect to life insurance; and changes in market conditions in general play a significant role in determining the rates charged, deductibles and attachment points quoted, and the percentage of business retained. IHC also seeks transactions that permit it to leverage its vertically integrated organizational structure by generating fee income from production and administrative operating companies as well as risk income for its carriers and profit commissions.  Management has always focused on managing the costs of its operations and providing its insureds with the best cost containment tools available.




26


The following is a summary of key performance information and events:


On March 5, 2010, IHC acquired a controlling interest in AMIC. Upon achieving control, AMIC’s income and expense amounts became consolidated with IHC’s results. Accordingly, the individual line items on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2010 include approximately one month of operations of AMIC.


The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

104,319 

$

116,350 

Expenses

 

102,383 

 

90,052 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

before income taxes

 

1,936 

 

26,298 

Income taxes (benefits)

 

(1,864)

 

9,921 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

3,800 

 

16,377 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

(127)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

3,800 

 

16,250 

 

 

 

 

 

Less income from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

in subsidiaries

 

(616)

 

(216)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to IHC

$

3,184 

$

16,034 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



o

Income from continuing operations of $.21 per share, diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $1.04 per share, diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Net income for 2010 includes a $16.7 million after-tax gain on the bargain purchase of AMIC;


o

Consolidated investment yields (on an annualized basis) of 4.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 4.1% for the comparable period in 2010;


o

Released $2.3 million of deferred income taxes relative to its investment in AMIC based on the Company’s intention to adopt tax planning strategies to recover its investment in AMIC in a tax-free manner;


o

Increased ownership interest in AMIC to 63.0%; and


o

Book value of $15.11 per common share, a decrease of $.03 per common share from December 31, 2010. The decrease is primarily a result of the issuance of 600,218 shares of common stock during the period, offset by current period net income and the acquisition of noncontrolling interests in AMIC.




27


The following is a summary of key performance information by segment:


o

The Medical Stop-Loss segment reported break-even results for the first quarter of 2011 compared to income before taxes of $.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease is primarily due to increased loss ratios in 2011;


o

Premiums earned increased $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010.  Premiums in first quarter 2011 include three months of earned premiums from AMIC of $9.2 million compared to one month of earned premiums from AMIC of $3.2 million in 2010. Excluding these amounts, earned premiums decreased $4.0 million. The decrease in premiums earned is due to the cancellation of certain non-owned managing general underwriters in 2010.


o

Underwriting experience for the Medical Stop-Loss segment, as indicated by its GAAP Combined Ratios, are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

27,895

$

25,849

Insurance Benefits, Claims & Reserves

 

20,894

 

18,816

Profit Commission Expense

 

796

 

482

Expenses

 

7,455

 

6,294

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio(A)

 

74.9%

 

72.8%

Profit Commission Expense Ratio (B)

 

2.9%

 

1.9%

Expense Ratio (C)

 

26.7%

 

24.3%

Combined Ratio (D)

 

104.5%

 

99.0%

 

 

 

 

 







o

Combined ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 include reported combined stop-loss ratios from AMIC of 100.7% and 103.2%, respectively, as adjusted for purchase accounting.


o

The profit commission expense ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 include reported profit commission expense ratios from AMIC of 4.9% and (1.8%), respectively, as adjusted for purchase accounting.


o

The underwriting expense ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 include reported expense ratios from AMIC of 26.4% and 27.0%, respectively, as adjusted for purchase accounting.


(A)

Loss ratio represents insurance benefits, claims and reserves divided by premiums earned.

(B)

Profit commission expense ratio represents profit commissions divided by premiums earned.

(C)

Expense ratio represents commissions, administrative fees, premium taxes and other underwriting expenses divided by premiums earned.

(D)

The combined ratio is equal to the sum of the loss ratio, profit commission expense ratio and the expense ratio.


·

The Fully Insured Health segment reported $3.4 million of income before taxes for the three



28


months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $1.2 million for the comparable period in 2010.


o

Fee and other income decreased $.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010.


o

Premiums earned increased $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 over the comparable 2010 period. Premiums in first quarter 2011 include three months of earned premiums from AMIC of $7.8 million compared to one month of earned premiums from AMIC of $2.7 million in 2010. Excluding these amounts, earned premiums increased $7.7 million primarily due to increased retentions in certain lines of this business.


o

Underwriting experience, as indicated by its GAAP Combined Ratios, for the Fully Insured segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011  and 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

36,795

$

23,967

Insurance Benefits, Claims & Reserves

 

21,544

 

15,126

Profit Commission Expense

 

31

 

251

Expenses

 

11,526

 

7,039

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio

 

58.6%

 

63.1%

Profit Commission Expense Ratio

 

.1%

 

1.0%

Expense Ratio

 

31.3%

 

29.4%

Combined Ratio

 

90.0%

 

93.5%

 

 

 

 

 






o

The decrease in the loss ratio was primarily attributable to improved underwriting results on major medical business for groups and individuals, magnified by the increase in retention in this line, in the first quarter of 2011.


o

The underwriting expense ratio increased for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily as a result of an increase in general expenses.


·

Income before taxes from the Group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment increased $.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010 primarily as a result of better loss ratios in the group term life and LTD lines partially offset by a decrease in the DBL line due to reduced volume and lower rates;


·

Minimal change in income before taxes from the Individual life, annuities and other segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010;


·

Income before taxes from the Corporate segment decreased $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to the inclusion, in 2010, of a $27.8 million pre-tax gain as a result of the March 2011 acquired controlling interest in AMIC;


·

Net realized investment losses were $.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to net realized investment gains of $.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively; and




29


·

Premiums by principal product for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):


 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

 

 

 

Gross Direct and Assumed

 

 

 

Earned Premiums:

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

35,175

$

39,000

Fully Insured Health

51,922

49,334

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL

24,359

26,755

Individual, life, annuities and other

 

8,714

 

7,924

 

 

 

 

$

120,170

$

123,013



 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned:

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

27,895

$

25,849

Fully Insured Health

36,795

23,967

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL

13,068

14,324

Individual, life, annuities and other

 

8,115

 

6,744

 

 

 

 

$

85,873

$

70,884




CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies and practices is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Management has identified the accounting policies related to Insurance Premium Revenue Recognition and Policy Charges, Insurance Reserves, Deferred Acquisition Costs, Investments, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and Deferred Income Taxes as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and this Management's Discussion and Analysis. A full discussion of these policies is included under the heading, “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, there were no additions to or changes in the critical accounting policies disclosed in the 2010 Form 10-K except for the recently adopted accounting standards discussed in Note 1(C) of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



30


Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010


Information by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:


 

 

 

Equity

 

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Income

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

and

Acquisition

And

 

March 31, 2011

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

27,895

1,290

-

1,450

20,894

-

9,768

$

(27)

Fully Insured Health

36,795

353

-

6,091

21,544

7

18,325

 

3,363 

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

13,068

2,143

-

46

11,386

131

3,924

 

(184)

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and other

8,115

5,780

-

1,248

10,425

1,553

3,151

 

14 

Corporate

-

550

-

-

-

-

818

 

(268)

Sub total

$

85,873

$

10,116

$

-

$

8,835

$

64,249

$

1,691

$

35,986

 

2,898 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment losses

 

 

 

(202)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

(303)

Interest expense on debt

 

 

 

 

 

(457)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

1,936 

Income tax benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(1,864)

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

$

3,800 


 

 

 

 

Gain on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bargain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

Purchase,

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Income

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

and

Acquisition

And

 

March 31, 2010

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

25,849

713

14

1,324

18,816

-

8,491

$

593 

Fully Insured Health

23,967

204

244

6,459

15,126

7

14,587

 

1,154 

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

14,324

2,389

22

423

13,274

123

4,276

 

(515)

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

6,744

6,295

-

1,056

9,612

1,188

3,162

 

133 

Corporate

-

(230)

-

27,830

-

-

919

 

26,681 

Sub total

$

70,884

$

9,371

$

280

$

37,092

$

56,828

$

1,318

$

31,435

 

28,046 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

349 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

(1,626)

Interest expense on debt

 

 

 

 

 

(471)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

26,298 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

9,921 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

$

16,377 





31


Acquisition of AMIC


On March 5, 2010, IHC acquired a controlling interest in AMIC as a result of the purchase of AMIC common stock in the open market. In determining the bargain purchase gain with regard to the acquisition of the controlling interest in AMIC, IHC first recognized a gain of $2.2 million as a result of remeasuring its equity interest in AMIC to its fair value of $22.0 million immediately before the acquisition based on the closing market price of AMIC's common stock. Then, upon the acquisition of a controlling interest on March 5, 2010, the Company consolidated the net assets of AMIC. Accordingly, the Company determined the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed from AMIC on such date.  The fair value of the net assets acquired exceeded the sum of: (i) the fair value of the consideration paid; (ii) the fair value of IHC’s equity investment prior to the acquisition; and (iii) the fair value of the noncontrolling interests in AMIC, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $25.6 million. The total gain, amounting to $27.8 million pre-tax, is included in gain on bargain purchase of AMIC on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. This gain is a result of the quoted market price of AMIC being significantly less than the fair value of the net assets of AMIC.  This disparity is due to the low trading volume in AMIC shares, and a discount on the shares traded due to a lack of control by minority shareholders.  The fair value of the noncontrolling interests in AMIC was based on the closing market price of AMIC’s common stock.


Prior to obtaining control, IHC recorded its investment in AMIC using the equity method.  IHC recorded changes in its investment in AMIC in the “Equity income from AMIC” line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Upon achieving control, on March 5, 2010, AMIC’s income and expense amounts became consolidated with IHC’s results.  Accordingly, the individual line items on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2010 reflect approximately one month of the operations of AMIC.


 Premiums Earned


Premiums in first quarter 2011 include three months of earned premiums from AMIC of $17.8 million compared to one month of earned premiums from AMIC of $6.1 million in 2010. Excluding these amounts, earned premiums increased $3.3 million. The increase is primarily due to: (i) the Fully Insured Health segment which had a $7.7 million increase in premiums in the first quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of increased retentions in the major medical business for groups and individuals, short term medical and limited medical lines of business partially offset by a decrease in the student accident line as a result of the cancellation of a producer of this product; (ii) an increase of $1.4 million of earned premiums in the Individual life, annuities and other segment primarily as a result of the ceding and commutation of certain ordinary life and annuity business during 2010; partially offset by (iii) a $4.0 million decrease in the Medical Stop-Loss segment primarily due to the cancellation of non-owned managing general underwriters in 2010; and (iv) a $1.8 million decrease in the Group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment primarily due to the point of service line which has been discontinued.


Net Investment Income


Total net investment income increased $.7 million.  The overall annualized investment yields were 4.4% and 4.1% (approximately 4.6% and 4.4%, on a tax advantaged basis) in the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The overall increase was primarily a result of increased partnership income offset, in part, by a decrease in investment income on bonds, equities and short-term investments due to lower yields and the shorter duration of our portfolio.  The annualized investment yields on bonds, equities and short-term investments were 4.0% and 4.5% in the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. IHC has approximately $131.6 million in highly rated shorter duration securities earning on average 1.6%. A portfolio that is shorter in duration enables us, if we deem prudent, the flexibility to reinvest in much higher yielding longer-term securities, which would significantly increase investment income.




32


Net Realized Investment Gains and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses, Net


The Company had net realized investment losses of $.2 million in 2011 compared to $.3 million of net realized gains in 2010. These amounts include gains and losses from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale and other investments. Decisions to sell securities are based on management's ongoing evaluation of investment opportunities and economic and market conditions, thus creating fluctuations in gains and losses from period to period.


For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded $.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of other-than-temporary impairment losses, pre-tax. Other-than-temporary impairment losses in 2011 consist of $.3 million of credit losses resulting from expected cash flows of debt securities that are less than the debt securities’ amortized cost. In 2010, other-than-temporary impairment losses consist of $.9 million of credit losses resulting from expected cash flows of debt securities that are less than the debt securities’ amortized cost and $.7 million resulting from the Company’s intent to sell certain municipal debt securities prior to the recovery of their amortized cost bases.


Fee Income and Other Income


Fee income decreased $.2 million to $7.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $7.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.  


Total other income decreased $.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $1.5 million from $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves


Benefits, claims and reserves in the first quarter 2011 includes three months of benefits, claims and reserves from AMIC of $11.0 million compared to one month of benefits, claims and reserves from AMIC of $4.1 million in 2010. Excluding these amounts, benefits, claims and reserves increased $.5 million. The increase is primarily attributable to: (i) an increase of $3.7 million in the Fully Insured Health segment, principally due to the increase in premiums on the major medical business for groups and individuals, short term medical and limited medical lines of business partially offset by a decrease in the student accident line as a result of a lower volume of business; (ii) a $.8 million increase in the Individual life, annuity and other segment primarily resulting from an increase in individual annuity contracts in 2011 and an increase in ordinary life and annuities; partially offset by (iii)  a decrease of $1.8 million in the Medical Stop-Loss segment, largely resulting from a decrease in premiums earned; and (iv) a $2.2 million decrease in the Group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment largely as a result of higher claims on the LTD and GTL lines of business and a decrease in the point of service line which has been discontinued.


Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs


Amortization of deferred acquisition costs increased $.4 million.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Selling, general and administrative expenses in first quarter 2011 include three months of expenses from AMIC of $7.3 million compared to one month of expenses from AMIC of $2.9 million in 2010. Excluding these amounts, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $.2 million. The decrease is primarily due to: (i) a $1.2 million decrease in commissions and other general expenses in the Medical Stop-Loss segment due to a decrease in volume as a result of reduced production; partially offset by (ii) a $1.6 million increase in the Fully Insured Health segment largely due to an increased volume of business in the major medical business for groups and individuals, short term medical and limited medical lines of business in 2011; and (iii) a net decrease of $.2 million in the selling, general and administrative expenses of all other lines of business.



33



Income Taxes


In 2011, IHC eliminated $2.3 million of previously recorded deferred income taxes due to management’s intention to adopt tax planning strategies to recover its investment in AMIC in a tax-free manner.  Excluding this transaction, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was 23.5% compared to 37.7% in 2010. Under the above assumptions, IHC did not record deferred taxes in the first quarter of 2011 relative to its share of earnings from its investment in AMIC, as it had in prior years, resulting in the lower effective tax rate in the current year.


 LIQUIDITY


Insurance Group


The Insurance Group normally provides cash flow from: (i) operations; (ii) the receipt of scheduled principal payments on its portfolio of fixed maturities; and (iii) earnings on investments. Such cash flow is partially used to fund liabilities for insurance policy benefits. These liabilities represent long-term and short-term obligations.


Corporate


Corporate derives its funds principally from: (i) dividends from the Insurance Group; (ii) management fees from its subsidiaries; and (iii) investment income from Corporate liquidity. Regulatory constraints historically have not affected the Company's consolidated liquidity, although state insurance laws have provisions relating to the ability of the parent company to use cash generated by the Insurance Group. No dividends were declared or paid by the Insurance Group in the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010.


Cash Flows


The Company had $11.4 million of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $2.5 million.


Net cash used by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $2.8 million of which $1.0 million was used to acquire additional shares of AMIC.


The Company has $460.3 million of insurance reserves that it expects to ultimately pay out of current assets and cash flows from future business. If necessary, the Company could utilize the cash received from maturities and repayments of its fixed maturity investments if the timing of claim payments associated with the Company's insurance resources does not coincide with future cash flows. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, cash received from the maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities was $17.8 million.


The Company believes it has sufficient cash to meet its currently anticipated business requirements over the next twelve months including working capital requirements and capital investments.  




34



BALANCE SHEET


The Company had net receivables from reinsurers of $124.9 million at March 31, 2011. All of such reinsurance receivables are highly rated companies or are adequately secured. No allowance for doubtful accounts was necessary at March 31, 2011.


The Company's health reserves by segment are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Total Health Reserves

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

62,874

$

64,338

Fully Insured Health

 

31,308

 

34,540

Group Disability

 

94,238

 

90,633

Individual A&H and Other

 

8,719

 

8,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

197,139

$

197,968


Major factors that affect the Projected Net Loss Ratio assumption in reserving for medical stop-loss relate to: (i) frequency and severity of claims; (ii) changes in medical trend resulting from the influences of underlying cost inflation, changes in utilization and demand for medical services, the impact of new medical technology and changes in medical treatment protocols; and (ii) the adherence by the MGUs that produce and administer this business to the Company's underwriting guidelines. Changes in these underlying factors are what determine the reasonably likely changes in the Projected Net Loss Ratio.


The primary assumption in the determination of fully insured reserves is that historical claim development patterns tend to be representative of future claim development patterns. Factors which may affect this assumption include changes in claim payment processing times and procedures, changes in product design, changes in time delay in submission of claims, and the incidence of unusually large claims. The reserving analysis includes a review of claim processing statistical measures and large claim early notifications; the potential impacts of any changes in these factors are minimal. The time delay in submission of claims tends to be stable over time and not subject to significant volatility. Since our analysis considered a variety of outcomes related to these factors, the Company does not believe that any reasonably likely change in these factors will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.


The $8.6 million increase in IHC’s stockholders' equity in the first three months of 2011 is primarily due to $3.2 million of net income and the acquisition of $5.0 million of noncontrolling interests in AMIC.  




35



Asset Quality and Investment Impairments


The nature and quality of insurance company investments must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations, which have been promulgated primarily for the protection of policyholders. Although the Company's gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities totaled $14.9 million at March 31, 2011, approximately 96.6% of the Company’s fixed maturities were investment grade and continue to be rated on average AA. The Company marks all of its available-for-sale securities to fair value through accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These investments tend to carry less default risk and, therefore, lower interest rates than other types of fixed maturity investments. At March 31, 2011, approximately 3.4% (or 26.6 million) of the carrying value of fixed maturities was invested in non-investment grade fixed maturities (primarily mortgage securities) (investments in such securities have different risks than investment grade securities, including greater risk of loss upon default, and thinner trading markets). The increase in non-investment grade securities is primarily due to the downgrades in credit ratings of certain Alt-A mortgage securities The Company does not have any non-performing fixed maturities at March 31, 2011.


The Company reviews its investments regularly and monitors its investments continually for impairments. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded $.3 million of losses for other-than-temporary impairments. The unrealized losses on all remaining available-for-sale securities have been evaluated in accordance with the Company's impairment policy and were determined to be temporary in nature at March 31, 2011. The following table summarizes the carrying value of securities with fair values less than 80% of their amortized cost at March 31, 2011 by the length of time the fair values of those securities were below 80% of their amortized cost (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Greater than

 

Greater than

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 months,

 

6 months,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than

 

less than

 

less than

 

Greater than

 

 

 

 

3 months

 

6 months

 

12 months

 

12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

$

1,191

$

-

$

146

$

697

$

2,034


Net unrealized gains were $.6 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. In 2011, the Company experienced a decrease in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $.2 million which was offset by $.1 million of deferred taxes and $.1 million of deferred policy acquisition costs. From time to time, as warranted, the Company may employ investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures. Further deterioration in credit quality of the companies backing the securities, further deterioration in the condition of the financial services industry, a continuation of the current imbalances in liquidity that exist in the marketplace, a continuation or worsening of the current economic recession, or additional declines in real estate values may further affect the fair value of these securities and increase the potential that certain unrealized losses be designated as other-than-temporary in future periods and the Company may incur additional write-downs.


CAPITAL RESOURCES


Due to its strong capital ratios, broad licensing and excellent asset quality and credit-worthiness, the Insurance Group remains well positioned to increase or diversify its current activities. It is anticipated that future acquisitions or other expansion of operations will be funded internally from existing capital and surplus and parent company liquidity. In the event additional funds are required, it is expected that they would be borrowed or raised in the public or private capital markets to the extent determined to be necessary or desirable.


IHC enters into a variety of contractual obligations with third parties in the ordinary course of its operations, including liabilities for insurance reserves, funds on deposit, debt and operating lease obligations.  However, IHC does not believe that its cash flow requirements can be fully assessed based



36


solely upon an analysis of these obligations.  Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon IHC’s future needs.  Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. The maturity distribution of the Company’s obligations, as of March 31, 2011, is not materially different from that reported in the schedule of such obligations at December 31, 2010 which was included in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  



OUTLOOK


The Company remained highly liquid in 2011 with a shorter duration portfolio. As a result, the yields on our investment portfolio were, and continue to remain, lower than in prior years and investment income may continue to be depressed for the balance of the year. IHC has approximately $131.6 million in highly rated shorter maturity securities earning on average 1.6%; our portfolio as a whole is rated, on average, AA. The low duration of our portfolio enables us, if we deem prudent, the flexibility to reinvest in much higher yielding longer-term securities, which would significantly increase investment income.  A low duration portfolio such as ours also mitigates the adverse impact of potential inflation.  IHC will continue to monitor the financial markets and invest accordingly.


At March 31, 2011, IHC owned approximately 63.0% of the outstanding common stock of AMIC. It is the Company’s intention to acquire additional shares of AMIC stock in the market and/or in private transactions in order to increase its investment to 80%.


 For 2011, we will continue to emphasize:

·

Preparing for health care reform by proactively adjusting our mix of Fully Insured Health products and distribution strategies to take advantage of changing market demands, while continuing to increase the efficiency of our fully insured administrative companies.  

·

Increasing the efficiency of our medical stop-loss operations and seeking to acquire additional Medical Stop-Loss business to increase our premiums in a controlled underwriting environment. We have determined that the results of MGUs in which we have ownership generally outperform those of ones we do not own by a substantial margin, which is why we have reduced our block to focus primarily on business written by owned MGUs.

·

As of May 1, 2011, we have consolidated our owned MGUs into one functional unit that we have branded as IHC Risk Solutions (“IHCRS”).  This consolidation significantly enhances our operational efficiencies, allows us to be more focused on our underwriting results and combine the regional knowledge of our owned MGUs in order to deliver medical stop-loss on a direct basis.   Medical stop-business written in 2011 will be quite profitable due to: (i) the underwriting and sales discipline resulting from the consolidation of IHCRS; (ii) the 20% average rate increases achieved by IHCRS on January renewal business; (iii) reduction in run-out from poorly performing non-owned programs that have been cancelled; and (iv) a hardening of the market.  In addition we will retain more risk on our business as a result of our increased capital base, which will increase our net retained premiums and our future profits starting next year.

·

Closely monitoring the experience in our Group disability, life annuities and DBL business.


We will continue to focus on our strategic objectives, including expanding our distribution network.  However, the success of a portion of our Fully Insured Health business may be affected by the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 signed by President Obama in March 2010, and its subsequent interpretations by state and federal regulators and its possible revision by the newly-elected Congress. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has now issued its proposed regulations. The regulations proposed to-date (including those mandating minimum loss ratios) seem to have validated our strategy of pursuing niche lines of business across many states utilizing multiple carriers. We have begun a comprehensive review of all the options for IHC and we are continuing a thorough evaluation of our options for those health insurance products that may be affected.



37


 Although the law will generally require insurers to operate with a lower expense structure for major medical plans in the small employer and individual markets, the law appears to make exceptions for carriers, such as ours, that have a minimal presence in any one state. “Non-essential” lines of business are not impacted by health care reform.


Our results depend on the adequacy of our product pricing, our underwriting and the accuracy of our reserving methodology, returns on our invested assets and our ability to manage expenses.  Therefore, factors affecting these items, including unemployment and global financial markets, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  



ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The Company manages interest rate risk by seeking to maintain an investment portfolio with a duration and average life that falls within the band of the duration and average life of the applicable liabilities. Options may be utilized to modify the duration and average life of such assets.


The Company monitors its investment portfolio on a continuous basis and believes that the liquidity of the Insurance Group will not be adversely affected by its current investments. This monitoring includes the maintenance of an asset-liability model that matches current insurance liability cash flows with current investment cash flows. This is accomplished by first creating an insurance model of the Company's in-force policies using current assumptions on mortality, lapses and expenses. Then, current investments are assigned to specific insurance blocks in the model using appropriate prepayment schedules and future reinvestment patterns.


The results of the model specify whether the investments and their related cash flows can support the related current insurance cash flows. Additionally, various scenarios are developed changing interest rates and other related assumptions. These scenarios help evaluate the market risk due to changing interest rates in relation to the business of the Insurance Group.


The expected change in fair value as a percentage of the Company's fixed income portfolio at March 31, 2011 given a 100 to 200 basis point rise or decline in interest rates is not materially different than the expected change at December 31, 2010 included in Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 In the Company's analysis of the asset-liability model, a 100 to 200 basis point change in interest rates on the Insurance Group's liabilities would not be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. With respect to its liabilities, if interest rates were to increase, the risk to the Company is that policies would be surrendered and assets would need to be sold. This is not a material exposure to the Company since a large portion of the Insurance Group's interest sensitive policies are burial policies that are not subject to the typical surrender patterns of other interest sensitive policies, and many of the Insurance Group's universal life and annuity policies were acquired from liquidated companies which tend to exhibit lower surrender rates than such policies of continuing companies. Additionally, there are charges to help offset the benefits being surrendered. If interest rates were to decrease substantially, the risk to the Company is that some of its investment assets would be subject to early redemption. This is not a material exposure because the Company would have additional unrealized gains in its investment portfolio to help offset the future reduction of investment income. With respect to its investments, the Company employs (from time to time as warranted) investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures.





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ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


IHC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in IHC’s evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in IHC’s periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Based upon that evaluation, IHC’S Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that IHC’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

     There has been no change in IHC’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, IHC's internal control over financial reporting.



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


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 related 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.


ITEM 1A.   

RISK FACTORS


There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 in Item 1A to Part 1 of Form 10-K.


ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


Private Placements


In the first quarter of 2011, IHC acquired an aggregate 900,325 shares of AMIC common stock from noncontrolling interests in exchange for the issuance of 600,218 shares of common stock as private placements of unregistered securities under section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the shares will be “restricted securities”, subject to legend and will not be freely tradable in the United States until the shares are registered for resale under the Securities Act, or to the extent they are tradable under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any other available exemption. Information pertaining to the Company’s common stock is provided in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,2010.


Share Repurchase Program


IHC has a program, initiated in 1991, under which it repurchases shares of its common stock. As of March 31, 2011, 293,600 shares were still authorized to be repurchased under the plan. There were no share repurchases during the first quarter of 2011.  


ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


Not applicable




39



ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


Not applicable



ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION


On May 11, 2011, IHC entered into an officer employment agreement with Mr. Roy T.K. Thung, IHC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (see Exhibit 10.1).  Under this employment agreement, if Mr. Thung’s employment by IHC or its affiliate were to cease under certain circumstances, Mr. Thung would be entitled to receive a lump-sum severance amount equal to the average annual aggregate total compensation received by Mr. Thung during the preceding five years, adjusted pro rata for the applicable severance period.  The applicable severance period would be the longer of: (i) twelve months and (ii) a number of months equal to the aggregate number of years of service of Mr. Thung to IHC and its affiliates.  The circumstances under which such severance would be paid are: (i) Mr. Thung’s employment by IHC being involuntarily terminated under circumstances that would not constitute “cause” (i.e., Mr. Thung’s material failure to follow IHC’s lawful directions, material failure to follow IHC’s corporate policies, breach of the non-compete covenants in the employment agreement or his engaging in unlawful behavior that would damage IHC or its reputation); (ii) such employment being voluntarily terminated under circumstances that would constitute “good reason” (i.e., in connection with IHC’s  material breach of its obligations under the employment agreement; (iii) upon Mr. Thung’s death or permanent disability; (iv) upon IHC’s non-renewal of the employment agreement; or (v) upon a change in control of IHC or its ultimate parent.   In addition, under the agreement, Mr. Thung is entitled to an incentive payment upon the disposition of a strategic asset of IHC equal to 3% of the amount above which the consideration received by IHC for such disposition exceeds the book value of such asset as of March 31, 2011.  Similarly, any termination of the agreement other than for “cause” triggers an incentive payment to Mr. Thung in respect such appreciation in book value of IHC overall. The initial term of Mr. Thung’s employment agreement is through December 31, 2014, but, by its terms, it will be automatically extended for successive two-year periods unless one hundred twenty days’ notice of non-renewal is given by IHC.  


ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


10.1

Officer Employment Agreement, by and between Independence Holding Company and Mr. Roy T.K. Thung, dated as of May 11, 2011.


31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and President Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.









40


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(REGISTRANT)




By:

/s/Roy T. K. Thung                                    

Date:

May 12, 2011

Roy T.K. Thung

Chief Executive Officer, President

and Chairman





 By:

/s/Teresa A. Herbert                                    

Date:

May 12, 2011

             Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and

   

Chief Financial Officer






41