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 September 30, 2007


[   ]

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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large Accelerated Filer [    ]                    Accelerated Filer [ X ]                      Non-Accelerated Filer   [    ]


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 November 6, 2007

Common stock, $ 1.00  par value

15,209,171 Shares








INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY


INDEX



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

 

 

NO.

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

4

 

 

September 30, 2007 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations -

5

 

 

Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

6

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

and Results of Operations

18

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

32

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

33

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

33

 

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

33

 

 

 

 

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

33

 

 

 

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

34

 

 

 

 

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

34

 

 

 

 

Item 5.    Other Information

34

 

 

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

34

 

 

 

Signatures

35

 

 

 

 


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




2



Forward-Looking Statements


Certain statements in this document are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company.  In this context, forward-looking statements often address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance, and often (but not always) contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” or “will.”  Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to differing degrees, uncertain.  With respect to the Company, particular uncertainties that could adversely or positively affect its future results include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, the Company’s ability effectively to operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in the Company’s news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.





3




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

    

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)


 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

 

$

10,677 

 

 

$

9,910 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

18,805 

 

 

 

68,849 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

668,339 

 

 

 

665,340 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

93,595 

 

 

 

60,043 

 

Other investments

 

 

 

46,117 

 

 

 

55,034 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

 

837,533 

 

 

 

859,176 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

8,487 

 

 

 

17,543 

 

Due from securities brokers

 

 

 

1,191 

 

 

 

660 

 

Investment in American Independence Corp. ("AMIC")

 

 

 

40,220 

 

 

 

39,942 

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

 

53,922 

 

 

 

55,021 

 

Due and unpaid premiums

 

 

 

61,166 

 

 

 

23,860 

 

Due from reinsurers

 

 

 

129,056 

 

 

 

111,476 

 

Premium and claim funds

 

 

 

55,827 

 

 

 

51,244 

 

Notes and other receivables

 

 

 

16,074 

 

 

 

13,994 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

52,088 

 

 

 

46,603 

 

Other assets

 

 

 

52,071 

 

 

 

40,165 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

$

1,307,635 

 

 

$

1,259,684 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves-health

 

 

$

218,547 

 

 

$

175,048 

 

Insurance reserves-life and annuity

 

 

 

248,967 

 

 

 

252,860 

 

Funds on deposit

 

 

 

382,845 

 

 

 

387,757 

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

 

19,644 

 

 

 

19,982 

 

Policy claims-health

 

 

 

2,119 

 

 

 

7,407 

 

Policy claims-life

 

 

 

10,371 

 

 

 

6,799 

 

Other policyholders' funds

 

 

 

18,022 

 

 

 

18,299 

 

Due to securities brokers

 

 

 

3,546 

 

 

 

 

Due to reinsurers

 

 

 

43,256 

 

 

 

38,109 

 

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

 

 

 

80,888 

 

 

 

69,127 

 

Debt

 

 

 

12,500 

 

 

 

15,000 

 

Junior subordinated debt securities

 

 

 

38,146 

 

 

 

38,146 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

1,078,851 

 

 

 

1,028,534 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock (none issued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,342,031 and 15,293,862 shares issued, respectively;  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,204,271 and 15,175,467 shares outstanding, respectively

 

 

 

15,342 

 

 

 

15,294 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

99,257 

 

 

 

97,873 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

(12,438)

 

 

 

(9,302)

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 137,760 and 118,395 shares,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

respectively

 

 

 

(2,626)

 

 

 

(2,237)

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

129,249 

 

 

 

129,522 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

 

228,784 

 

 

 

231,150 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

$

1,307,635 

 

 

$

1,259,684 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



4






INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

$

72,950 

$

60,711 

$

214,892 

$

176,495 

 

Life and annuity

 

10,603 

 

10,840 

 

33,292 

 

32,634 

 

Net investment income

 

11,345 

 

11,855 

 

35,800 

 

35,188 

 

Fee income

 

11,007 

 

8,791 

 

31,540 

 

23,904 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

471 

 

253 

 

1,473 

 

720 

 

Equity income (loss) from AMIC

 

(696)

 

47 

 

401 

 

406 

 

Other income

 

534 

 

597 

 

3,008 

 

2,056 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,214 

 

93,094 

 

320,406 

 

271,403 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

 

63,705 

 

38,673 

 

160,566 

 

115,763 

 

Life and annuity

 

13,262 

 

13,693 

 

39,321 

 

39,404 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expenses

 

38,521 

 

31,716 

 

109,395 

 

90,530 

 

Amortization of deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

acquisitions costs

 

2,966 

 

2,352 

 

8,266 

 

7,541 

 

Interest expense on debt

 

1,051 

 

990 

 

3,169 

 

2,821 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,505 

 

87,424 

 

320,717 

 

256,059 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(13,291)

 

5,670 

 

(311)

 

15,344 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(4,868)

 

1,601 

 

(419)

 

4,880 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(8,423)

$

4,069 

$

108 

$

10,464 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

$

(.55)

$

.27 

$

.01 

$

.71 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

15,195 

 

15,028 

 

15,190 

 

14,797 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

$

(.55)

$

.27 

$

.01 

$

.69 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

outstanding

 

15,195

 

15,235 

 

15,302 

 

15,117 







The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.





5






INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (In thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September

 

 

2007

 

 

2006

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

108 

 

$

10,464 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating  activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

 8,266 

 

 

7,541 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 (1,473)

 

 

(720)

 

Equity income from AMIC and other equity method investments

 

 (726)

 

 

(1,169)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 3,521 

 

 

2,013 

 

Share-based compensation expenses

 

1,163 

 

 

1,136 

 

Deferred tax expense

 

 (870)

 

 

283 

 

Other

 

 646 

 

 

982 

  Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales of trading securities

 

 516 

 

 

705 

 

Change in insurance liabilities

 

 31,140 

 

 

(20,134)

 

Deductions from (additions to) deferred acquisition costs, net

 

 (6,781)

 

 

322 

 

Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers

 

 (12,434)

 

 

 15,958 

 

Change in premium and claim funds

 

 (4,583)

 

 

(9,821)

 

Change in income tax liability

 

 (6,217)

 

 

(643)

 

Change in due and unpaid premiums

 

 (37,306)

 

 

1,128 

 

Change in other assets

 

 (3,402)

 

 

(404)

 

Change in other liabilities

 

13,065 

 

 

3,150 

 

Net change in cash from operating activities

 

 (15,367)

 

 

10,791 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers

 

3,015 

 

 

(140)

 

Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments

 

 (678)

 

 

8,178 

 

Net (purchases) sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements

 

 50,044 

 

 

(830)

 

Sales of equity securities

 

 47,388 

 

 

88,613 

 

Purchases of equity securities

 

 (82,590)

 

 

(94,843)

 

Sales of fixed maturities

 

 183,652 

 

 

184,973 

 

Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities

 

 37,758 

 

 

33,775 

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

 

 (227,438)

 

 

(210,700)

 

Sales of other investments

 

 13,334 

 

 

3,611 

 

Additional investments in other investments, net of distributions

 

 (4,092)

 

 

(1,836)

 

Cash paid in acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired

 

 (9,034)

 

 

(20,950)

 

Cash paid in purchases of policy blocks

 

 - 

 

 

(224)

 

Change in notes and other receivables

 

 (1,692)

 

 

(3,456)

 

Other

 

 (1,278)

 

 

(4,735)

 

Net change in cash from investing activities

 

 8,389 

 

 

(18,564)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY)  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

 

2,500 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 (398)

 

 

(670)

 

Increase in long-term debt

 

 - 

 

 

2,500 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 (2,500)

 

 

 

Exercises of common stock options

 

 309 

 

 

2,119 

 

Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options

 

 48 

 

 

1,252 

 

Proceeds of investment-type insurance contracts

 

 1,223 

 

 

9,361 

 

Dividends paid

 

 (760)

 

 

(730)

 

Net change in cash from financing activities

 

 (2,078)

 

 

16,332 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 (9,056)

 

 

8,559 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 17,543 

 

 

12,659 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

 8,487 

 

$

21,218 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



6




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to 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"); and (ii) its marketing and administrative companies, including Insurers Administrative Corporation (“IAC”), managing general underwriters ("MGUs") in which it owns a significant voting interest, Health Plan Administrators, Inc. (“HPA”), GroupLink, Inc. (“GroupLink”), IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”), and Community America Insurance Services, Inc. (“CAIS”).  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."  The Company also owns a 48% equity interest in American Independence Corp. ("AMIC"), which owns Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”) and several MGUs.


Geneve Corporation, a diversified financial holding company, and its affiliated entities held approximately 54% of IHC's outstanding common stock at September 30, 2007.


(B)

Basis of Presentation


The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of IHC and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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 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 consolidated results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be anticipated for the entire year.


(C)

 Reclassifications


Certain amounts in prior years' Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2007 presentation.


(D)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS 159").  SFAS 159 would create a fair value option of accounting for qualifying financial assets and liabilities under which an irrevocable election could be made at inception to measure such assets and liabilities initially and



7


subsequently at fair value, with all changes in fair value reported in earnings.  SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007.  The adoption of SFAS 159 is optional.  The Company is in the process of analyzing the effects of adoption of SFAS 159 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“SFAS 155”), which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“SFAS 140”).  SFAS 155 simplifies the accounting for certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments by allowing them to be accounted for as a whole if the holder elects to account for the whole instrument on a fair value basis.  SFAS 155 also clarifies and amends certain other provisions of SFAS 133 and SFAS 140.  SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired, issued or subject to a re-measurement event occurring in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006.  The adoption of SFAS 155 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("Interpretation 48"), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The recognition threshold is based on a determination of whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. Interpretation 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Interpretation 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of Interpretation 48 is reported as an adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The amount of the cumulative-effect adjustment is the difference between the net amount of assets and liabilities recognized in the balance sheet prior to the application of Interpretation 48 and the net amount of assets and liabilities recognized as a result of applying Interpretation 48. The adoption of Interpretation 48 on January 1, 2007 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and the Company believes there are no significant tax positions that would require disclosure under Interpretation 48. The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing our 2003 and 2004 consolidated income tax returns. It is anticipated that this examination will be completed within the next twelve months. Management believes that it has made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties, such that the outcome of any unresolved issues or claims will not result in a material change to our financial position or results of operations.


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The adoption of SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


 In September 2005, the AICPA's Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position 05-1, "Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts" ("SOP 05-1").  SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS 97, "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments".  SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a



8


contract. A replacement contract that is substantially changed will be accounted for as an extinguishment of the replaced contract resulting in a release of the unamortized deferred acquisition costs, unearned revenue, and deferred sales inducements associated with the replaced contract. SOP 05-1 is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of SOP 05-1 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


Note 2.

 

American Independence Corp.


AMIC is an insurance holding company engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business as a result of its acquisition of First Standard Holdings Corp. ("FSHC") from the Company in November 2002. AMIC does business with the Insurance Group, including reinsurance treaties under which, in 2006, Standard Security Life and Madison National Life ceded to Independence American an average of 22% of their medical stop-loss business, 10% of certain of their fully insured health business and 20% of their New York Statutory Disability business. IHC owned 48% of AMIC's outstanding common stock at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, which was purchased in various transactions from 2002 through 2005. IHC accounts for its investment in AMIC under the equity method. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, IHC's investment in AMIC had a total carrying value of $44,690,000 and $44,412,000, respectively, including goodwill of $4,470,000 at both dates. This goodwill represents the excess of IHC's cost over the underlying equity in AMIC's net assets at the respective purchase dates. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, based on the closing market price of AMIC's common stock, the fair value of the AMIC shares owned by IHC was approximately $41,388,000 and $43,866,000, respectively.


For the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, IHC recorded equity income (loss) of $(696,000) and $47,000, respectively, from its investment in AMIC, representing IHC's proportionate share of AMIC’s income (loss) based on its ownership interests during those periods. IHC's equity income (loss) from AMIC for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $401,000 and $406,000, respectively. AMIC paid no dividends on its common stock in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.


IHC and its subsidiaries earned $188,000 and $138,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $568,000 and $394,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, 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 certain services provided by IHC and its subsidiaries, including general management, corporate strategy, accounting, legal, compliance, underwriting and claims. The Company ceded premiums to AMIC of $16,226,000 and $14,279,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $52,381,000 and $41,527,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Benefits to policyholders on business ceded to AMIC were $14,084,000 and $10,398,000, in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $39,217,000 and $29,164,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  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 net commission expense of $995,000 and $1,281,000 in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $3,069,000 and $3,866,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for these services. The Company also contracts for several types of insurance coverage (e.g. directors and officers and professional liability converge) 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.


Included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, are the following balances arising from transactions in the normal course of business with AMIC and its subsidiaries: Due from reinsurers $19,580,000 and $15,324,000; Other assets $7,457,000 and $5,971,000; and Other liabilities $40,000 and $518,000.



9



Note 3.

Income (Loss) Per Common Share


Included in the diluted income per share calculations are 207,000 shares for the three months ended 2006, and 112,000 and 320,000 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, from the assumed dilution due to the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock, using the treasury stock method. For the third quarter of 2007, such shares were deemed anti-dilutive. Net income does not change as a result of the assumed dilution.


Note  4.

Investments


The following tables summarize, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities had continuously been in an unrealized loss position:


 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

September 30, 2007

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

 

$

65,709 

 

$

2,345 

 

$

195,223 

 

$

10,138 

 

$

260,932 

$

12,483 

CMO and ABS (1)

 

 

59,302 

 

 

943 

 

 

77,101 

 

 

2,640 

 

 

136,403 

 

3,583 

U.S. Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,768 

 

 

537 

 

 

30,768 

 

537 

Agency MBS (2)

 

 

23,662 

 

 

108 

 

 

16,759 

 

 

548 

 

 

40,421 

 

656 

GSE (3)

 

 

33,330 

 

 

168 

 

 

45,173 

 

 

1,701 

 

 

78,503 

 

1,869 

States and political

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subdivisions

 

 

25,684 

 

 

517 

 

 

5,609 

 

 

241 

 

 

31,293 

 

758 

Total fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

maturities

 

 

207,687 

 

 

4,081 

 

 

370,633 

 

 

15,805 

 

 

578,320 

 

19,886 

Common stock

 

 

7,195 

 

 

993 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,195 

 

993 

Preferred stock

 

 

58,929 

 

 

2,708 

 

 

4,817 

 

 

299 

 

 

63,746 

 

3,007 

Total temporarily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impaired securities

 

$

273,811 

 

$

7,782 

 

$

375,450 

 

$

16,104 

 

$

649,261 

$

23,886 




10



 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

December 31, 2006

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

`

 

 

 

Corporate securities

 

$

115,055

 

$

2,255

 

$

194,932

 

$

7,896

 

$

309,987

$

10,151

CMO and ABS (1)

 

 

55,126

 

 

430

 

 

73,582

 

 

2,289

 

 

128,708

 

2,719

U.S. Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

obligations

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

60,566

 

 

2,398

 

 

60,566

 

2,398

Agency MBS (2)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

19,447

 

 

481

 

 

19,447

 

481

GSE (3)

 

 

9,250

 

 

121

 

 

47,494

 

 

1,696

 

 

56,744

 

1,817

States and political

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

subdivisions

 

 

14,303

 

 

20

 

 

5,615

 

 

254

 

 

19,918

 

274

Total fixed maturities

 

 

193,734

 

 

2,826

 

 

401,636

 

 

15,014

 

 

595,370

 

17,840

Common stock

 

 

4,664

 

 

312

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4,664

 

312

Preferred stock

 

 

7,216

 

 

40

 

 

2,607

 

 

135

 

 

9,823

 

175

Total temporarily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impaired securities

 

$

205,614

 

$

3,178

 

$

404,243

 

$

15,149

 

$

609,857

$

18,327



(1)

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”).

(2)

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”).

(3)

Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSE”) 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.


The Company reviews its investment securities regularly and determines whether other-than- temporary impairments have occurred. If a decline in fair value is judged by management to be other- than-temporary, a loss is recognized by a charge to the Consolidated Statements of Operations, establishing a new cost basis for the security. The factors considered by management in its regular review include, but are not limited to:  the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; adverse changes in ratings announced by one or more rating agencies; whether the issuer of a debt security has remained current on principal and interest payments; whether the decline in fair value appears to be issuer specific or, alternatively, a reflection of general market or industry conditions (including, in the case of fixed maturities, the effect of changes in market interest rates); and the Company's intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value.  For securities within the scope of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-20, such as purchased interest-only securities, an impairment loss is recognized when there has been a decrease in expected cash flows combined with a decline in the security's fair value below cost.  Based on management’s review of the portfolio, which considered these factors, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company did not record any realized losses for other-than-temporary impairments.


Substantially all of the unrealized losses at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 relate to investment grade securities and are attributable to changes in market interest rates subsequent to purchase.  There were no securities with unrealized losses that were individually significant dollar amounts at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, a total of 96 and 76 securities, respectively, were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 84 and 76 securities, respectively, had continuous unrealized losses for 12 months or longer. For fixed maturities, there are no securities past due or securities for which the Company currently believes it is not probable that it will collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the investment. 




11


Note 5.

Other Investments


The Company had invested $8,288,000 at December 31, 2006 in Dolphin Limited Partnership – A ("DLP-A"), a domestic feeder fund for Dolphin Limited Partnership I L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. The Company liquidated its investment in DLP-A in February 2007. The Company's net investment income includes $46,000 for the two months ended February 28, 2007 and nine months ended September 30, 2007, and $57,000 and $457,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, for its proportionate share of net income of DLP-A.


Note 6.

Acquisitions


The Company completed the following acquisitions in 2007. The results of operations of the acquired companies are included in IHC's Consolidated Financial Statements from the respective acquisition dates. Pro forma results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as though these acquisitions had been completed at the beginning of such period, have not been presented since the effect of the acquisitions was not material.


CA Marketing and Management Services, LLC


In January 2007, IHC Health Holdings Corp. ("IHC Health Holdings"), a wholly owned subsidiary of IHC, acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests in CA Marketing and Management Services, LLC ("CAM") for a total purchase price of $3,500,000. Immediately thereafter, CAM was merged into IHC Health Solutions, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IHC Health Holdings. The Company recorded goodwill of $640,000 and other intangible assets of $2,860,000 primarily for the fair value of agent and management services relationships, which is being amortized over a weighted average period of 9.06 years. CAM was previously 100% owned by a senior officer of IHC. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of IHC unanimously approved the transaction, and upon recommendation by the Audit Committee, it was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.


Actuarial Management Corporation


Effective April 2, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Actuarial Management Corporation ("AMC") for a total purchase price of $5,000,000. The Company recorded goodwill of $4,324,000 and other intangible assets of $800,000, primarily for the fair value of customer relationships, which is being amortized over a weighted average period of 5.7 years. AMC is currently responsible for all actuarial aspects of the Company's fully insured health business. AMC was previously owned by an individual who became a senior officer of IHC prior to the acquisition.


Majestic Underwriters LLC


The Company purchased an additional 10.3% interest in Majestic Underwriters LLC ("Majestic"), effective as of June 30, 2007 and pursuant to terms set forth in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Majestic, thereby increasing its controlling interest in the medical stop-loss MGU to 62.3%. The interest was purchased from an officer of Majestic for a total purchase price of $649,000 and was settled on July 2, 2007. The Company recorded goodwill of $521,000 and other intangible assets of $62,000 for the fair value of broker relationships, which is being amortized over 10.0 years. In addition, AMIC holds a 23.0% interest in Majestic and the remaining 14.7% of minority interest is owned by a current senior officer of the MGU.



12


Note 7.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had goodwill of $52,088,000 and $46,603,000, respectively, and other intangible assets (included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets) of $17,802,000 and $13,984,000 (which includes $1,308,000 capitalized software classified in Fixed Assets at December 31, 2006), respectively.  The change in the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets for the nine months of 2007 is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Other Intangible

 

 

Goodwill

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

$

46,603

 

$

13,984

CAM acquisition

 

640

 

 

2,860

Majestic acquisition

 

521

 

 

62

AMC acquisition

 

4,324

 

 

800

Capitalized software development

 

-

 

 

2,364

Amortization expense

 

-

 

 

(2,268)

Balance at September 30, 2007

$

52,088

 

$

17,802


Note 8.

Share-Based Compensation


Effective January 1, 2006, under the modified prospective method, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"), which revises SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its related interpretations (“APB 25”). SFAS 123R applies to all awards granted after its effective date and to modifications, repurchases or cancellations of existing awards after that date. Additionally, under the modified prospective method of adoption, the Company recognizes compensation expense for the portion of outstanding awards on the adoption date for which the requisite service period has not yet been rendered based on the grant-date fair value of those awards.


Total share-based compensation expense was $366,000 and $428,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $1,163,000 and $1,136,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Related tax benefits of $146,000 and $171,000 were recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $464,000 and $453,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Under the terms of the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, option exercise prices are 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 equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and have three year vesting periods. There were 990,300 shares available for future stock-based compensation grants under the shareholder-approved plans at September 30, 2007.  Substantially, all of these available shares relate to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan that was approved by shareholders in June 2006.



13


The Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is as follows:


 

 

Shares

 

Weighted- Average

 

 

Under Option

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

858,351

 

$

17.03

Granted

 

32,000

 

21.49

Exercised

 

(28,040)

 

11.02

September 30, 2007

 

862,311

 

 

17.39


The following table summarizes information regarding outstanding and exercisable options as of September 30, 2007:


 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

862,311

 

656,974

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

17.39

$

16.20

Aggregate intrinsic value of options

$

3,141,000

$

2,983,000

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

1.9 years

 

1.4 years


The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option valuation model. The weighted average grant-date fair-value of options granted during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 was $6.51 and $7.25 per share, respectively. The assumptions set forth in the table below were used to value the stock options granted during the nine month period ended September 30:


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average risk-free interest rate

 

4.44%

 

4.93%

Annual dividend rate per share

$

.05

$

.05

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

 

30.3%

 

32.1%

Weighted-average expected term of options

 

4.5 years

 

4.5 years


Compensation expense of $176,000 and $264,000 was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $660,000 and $839,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for the portion of the grant-date fair value of stock options vesting during that period.


The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $141,000 and $536,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $268,000 and $4,607,000, respectively. Cash proceeds received from those options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $178,000 and $337,000, respectively. Cash proceeds received from those options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $309,000 and $2,119,000, respectively.


The Company issued 7,050 and 49,325 restricted stock awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, with weighted-average grant-date fair values of $20.67 and $22.20 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 was $372,000 and $26,000, respectively. Restricted stock expense was $102,000 and $93,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $294,000 and $226,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.



14



The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:


 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

No. of

 

Grant-Date

 

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

50,325 

$

22.11

 

Granted

 

7,050

 

20.67

 

Vested

 

(16,906)

 

22.07

 

Forfeited

 

(1,660)

 

22.69

 

September 30, 2007

 

38,809

 

21.88

 


As of September 30, 2007, there was $1,150,000 and $625,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options and non-vested restricted stock awards, respectively, which will each be recognized over the remaining requisite weighted-average service periods of 1.6 years.  


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. Other liability-classified awards include share-based performance awards. Compensation costs for these plans are recognized and accrued as performance conditions are met, based on the current share price. Included in Other Liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are $252,000 and $143,000, respectively, pertaining to SARs and other share-based performance awards.


Note 9.

Debt


On August 22, 2007, the Company made a $2,500,000 principal repayment on its outstanding line of credit with a commercial bank reducing both the outstanding balance and the available credit line from $15,000,000 to $12,500,000 in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement, as amended.


Note 10.

Income Taxes


The provision (benefit) for income taxes shown in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was computed based on the Company's actual results which approximates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the balance of the current fiscal year in accordance with the consolidated life/non-life group income tax regulations. Such regulations adopt a subgroup method to 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 nine months ended September 30, 2007 allocated to stockholders' equity (principally for net unrealized gains on investment securities) was $1,816,000, representing the increase in the related net deferred tax asset to $6,954,000 at September 30, 2007 from $5,138,000 at December 31, 2006.



15


Note 11.

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information


Cash payments for income taxes were $6,153,000 and $4,220,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash payments for interest were $3,020,000 and $2,638,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  


Note 12.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)


The components of comprehensive income (loss) include (i) net income or loss reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and (ii) certain amounts reported directly in stockholders’ equity, principally the after-tax net unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale (net of deferred acquisition costs). The comprehensive income (loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is summarized as follows:


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September  30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(8,423)

$

4,069 

$

108 

$

10,464 

Unrealized gains (losses) arising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

during the period, net of income taxes

 

1,337 

 

11,580 

 

(3,136)

 

(3,329)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

(7,086)

$

15,649 

$

(3,028)

$

7,135 




16


Note 13.

 Segment Reporting


The Insurance Group principally engages in the life and health insurance business. Information by business segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is presented below:


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss (A)

$

46,017 

$

42,165 

$

129,743 

$

121,292 

Fully Insured Health (B)

 

28,102 

 

16,251 

 

84,426 

 

45,155 

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL (C)

 

12,646 

 

13,203 

 

41,084 

 

39,521 

Individual life, annuities and other

 

13,939 

 

15,208 

 

46,289 

 

46,560 

Credit Life and disability

 

5,649 

 

5,750 

 

16,905 

 

16,807 

Corporate

 

(610)

 

264 

 

486 

 

1,348 

 

 

105,743 

 

92,841 

 

318,933 

 

270,683 

Net realized investment gains

 

471 

 

253 

 

1,473 

 

720 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

106,214 

$

93,094 

$

320,406 

$

271,403 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss (A)

$

(10,773)

$

2,954 

$

(2,870)

$

9,616 

Fully Insured Health(B) (D)

 

(794)

 

(134)

 

(1,353)

 

(7)

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL (C)

 

655 

 

2,819 

 

4,009 

 

4,525 

Individual life, annuities and other

 

807 

 

2,375 

 

6,702 

 

7,060 

Credit Life and disability

 

(193)

 

(139)

 

(791)

 

(489)

Corporate

 

(2,413)

 

(1,468)

 

(4,312)

 

(3,260)

 

 

(12,711)

 

6,407 

 

1,385 

 

17,445 

Net realized investment gains

 

471 

 

253 

 

1,473 

 

720 

Interest expense

 

(1,051)

 

(990)

 

(3,169)

 

(2,821)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(13,291)

$

5,670 

$

(311)

$

15,344 


(A)

The amount includes equity income (loss) from AMIC of $(432,000) and $47,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $249,000 and $406,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


(B)

The amount includes equity income (loss) from AMIC of $(216,000) and $124,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. In 2006, the equity income (loss) from AMIC in this line of business was insignificant.


(C)

The amount includes equity income (loss) from AMIC of $(48,000) and $28,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. In 2006, the equity income (loss) from AMIC in this line of business was insignificant.


(D)

The Fully Insured Health segment includes amortization of intangible assets recorded as a result of purchase accounting for the recent acquisitions. Total amortization expense was $736,000 and $435,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $2,122,000 and $1,172,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amortization expense for the other segments is insignificant.



17


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, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report.


Overview


Independence Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (NYSE: 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"); and (ii) its marketing and administrative companies, including Insurers Administrative Corporation (“IAC”), managing general underwriters in which it owns a significant voting interest (“Affiliated MGUs”), Health Plan Administrators, Inc. (“HPA”), GroupLink Inc. (“GroupLink”), IHC Health Solutions, Inc. (“IHC Health Solutions”), and Community America Insurance Services Inc. (“CAIS”).  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."  The Company also owns a 48% equity interest in American Independence Corp. (NASDAQ:AMIC) which owns Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”) and several MGUs.


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 the Company's retention in a core line, expand into new products, acquire an entity or a block of business, or otherwise change the Company's business model.  Management's assessment of trends in healthcare and morbidity, with respect to medical stop-loss, fully insured medical, disability and 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. The Company believes that the acquisition of Actuarial Management Corp. (“AMC”) in the second quarter of 2007 will further enable it to make these assessments. The Company 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 costs of its operations and providing its insureds with the best cost containment tools available.


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


·

Net income (loss) of $(8.4) million or $(.55) per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $.1 million or $.01 per share, diluted, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This loss is primarily attributable to reserve strengthening of $14.9 million, before income taxes, or $10.5 million after taxes, in the Medical Stop-Loss segment as more fully described in the Reserve Strengthening discussion under Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007;


·

Consolidated investment yields of 5.2% and 5.4% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 5.3% for both of the comparable periods in 2006;





18


·

Revenues of $106.2 million and $320.4 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively,  representing increases of 14.1% and 18.1% over the respective three-month and nine-month periods in 2006; primarily due to an increase in revenues from the Fully Insured Health segment and an increase in assumed premiums in the Medical Stop-Loss segment;


·

Book value of $15.05 per common share; a 1.2% decrease from December 31, 2006;


·

Acquired CA Marketing and Management Services, LLC and merged this company with IHC Health Solutions, Inc. ("IHC Health Solutions") as of January 2, 2007;


·

Effective April 2, 2007, acquired Actuarial Management Corporation ("AMC"); and


·

Effective June 30, 2007, increased the Company's controlling interest in Majestic Underwriters LLC ("Majestic"), a medical stop-loss MGU, to 62.3% with the purchase of an additional 10.3% interest from a retired senior officer.


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


·

Income (loss) before taxes from the Medical Stop-Loss segment decreased $13.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the same periods in 2006 primarily as a result of a $14.9 million charge in the 2007 third quarter as more fully described in the Reserve Strengthening discussion under Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007;


·

The Fully Insured Health segment reported income (loss) before taxes of $(.8) million and $(1.4) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to $(.1) million and breakeven for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.


o

Premiums earned from this segment have increased $9.8 million and $30.8 million, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 over the comparable periods in 2006. Included in the nine-month results of 2007 is $1.3 million of adverse development recorded in the second quarter of 2007 on premiums earned in 2006 on certain fully insured programs and an increase of $ .9 million in the amortization expense of intangible assets recorded as a result of purchase accounting related to acquisitions.


·

Income before taxes from the Group disability, life annuities and DBL segment decreased $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to a refund of DBL premiums as Standard Security Life experienced loss ratios below mandated minimums in this line of business;


·

Income before taxes from the Individual life, annuities and other segment decreased $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the prior year as a result of an increase in amortization and other expenses, and $.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, due to an increase in amortization and other expenses slightly offset by an increase in other income due to adjustments in settlement of a reinsurance agreement;


·

Loss before taxes from the Credit life and disability segment remained flat for the three months ended September 30, 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 the loss before taxes increased $.3 million, primarily due to higher death and disability claims;




19


·

Loss before taxes from the Corporate segment increased $.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to lower income from partnership investments in 2007;


·

Net realized investment gains were $.5 million and $.3 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $1.5 million and $.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively; and


·

Premiums by principal product for the three months and nine months 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):


 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine months Ended

 

September 30,

 

September  30,

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Direct and Assumed

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums:

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

73,109

$

71,277

$

210,586

$

204,570

Fully Insured Health

48,963

20,129

159,402

56,190

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL

17,537

21,086

58,079

61,507

Individual, life, annuities and other

7,103

7,712

23,016

24,116

Credit life and disability

 

5,467

 

5,800

 

16,826

 

16,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

152,179

$

126,004

$

467,909

$

363,300



 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine months Ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned:

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

44,535

$

40,304

$

124,777

$

115,654

Fully Insured Health

17,501

7,747

53,457

22,693

Group disability, life, annuities and DBL

9,810

10,848

32,781

32,523

Individual, life, annuities and other

6,411

7,072

20,972

22,067

Credit life and disability

 

5,296

 

5,580

 

16,197

 

16,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

83,553

$

71,551

$

248,184

$

209,129




20




CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of the 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, 2006. Management has identified the accounting policies related to Insurance Premium Revenue Recognition and Policy Charges, Insurance Reserves, Deferred Acquisition Costs, and Investments 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, 2006.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, there were no additions to or changes in the critical accounting policies disclosed in the 2006 Form 10-K.



21


Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2006


Net income (loss) was $(8.4) million, or $(.55) per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $12.5 million compared to $4.1 million, or $.27 per share, diluted, for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The Company's income (loss) before taxes decreased $19.0 million to $(13.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006.  Information by business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:


 

 

 

Equity

 

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Loss

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

and

Acquisition

And

 

September 30,  2007

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

44,535 

1,482 

(432)

432 

44,321

-

12,469

$

(10,773)

Fully Insured Health

17,501 

176 

(216)

10,641 

12,654

48

16,194

(794)

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

9,810 

2,781 

 (48)

103 

8,420

36

3,535 

655 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and other

6,411 

7,173 

355 

8,803

1,592

2,737 

807 

Credit life and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disability

 

5,296 

 

343 

 

 

10 

 

2,769

 

1,290

 

1,783 

 

(193)

Corporate

 

 

(610)

 

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,803 

 

(2,413)

Sub total

$

83,553 

$

11,345 

$

(696)

$

11,541 

$

76,967

$

2,966

$

38,521 

 

(12,711)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

471 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,051)

(Loss) before income taxes (benefit)

 

 

 

 

(13,291)

Income taxes (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,868)

Net (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

  (8,423)


 

 

 

Equity

 

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Income

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

and

Acquisition

And

 

September  30, 2006

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

40,304

1,146

47

668 

28,847

10,364

$

2,954 

Fully Insured Health

7,747

58

-

8,446 

4,365

13 

12,007

(134)

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

10,848

2,253

-

102 

6,826

43 

3,515

2,819 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

7,072

7,977

-

159 

9,716

1,035 

2,082

2,375 

Credit life and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disability

 

5,580

 

157 

 

-

 

13 

 

2,612

 

1,261

 

2,016

(139)

Corporate

 

-

 

264 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,732

 

(1,468)

Sub total

$

71,551

$

11,855 

$

47

$

9,388

$

52,366

$

2,352

$

31,716

 

6,407 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

253 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(990)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,670 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   1,601 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,069 



22


Premiums Earned


Total premiums earned grew $12.0 million to $83.6 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $71.6 million in the comparable period of 2006. The increase is primarily due to the Fully Insured Health segment which had a $9.8 million increase in premiums in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006, comprised of a $6.1 million increase in small group premiums as a result of the acquisition of a block of business which transitioned to the Company in the third quarter of 2006, a $2.3 million increase in dental premiums primarily due to new business, a $1.2 million increase due to new vision and limited medical products in 2007 and, a $.2 million increase in short-term medical premiums. In the Medical Stop-Loss segment, premiums earned grew $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to an increase in assumed premiums. A $1.0 decrease in premiums from the Group segment is primarily due to a refund of DBL premiums as Standard Security Life experienced loss ratios below mandated minimums in this line of business. Premiums earned by the other segments for the third quarter of 2007 were relatively comparable to the same period in 2006.


Net Investment Income


Total net investment income decreased $.6 million primarily due to lower investment income from partnerships in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, in addition to lower investable assets due to the acquisition of CAM and AMC. The overall investment yield was 5.2% and 5.3% in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Net Realized Investment Gains


Net realized investment gains in the third quarter of 2007 increased $.2 million over the comparable period in 2006. These amounts include gains and losses from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale, as well as trading securities 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.


Equity Income (Loss) from AMIC


Equity income (loss) from AMIC decreased $.7 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 due to lower income earned by AMIC as a result of medical stop-loss reserve strengthening which largely relates to the business it assumed from IHC.


Fee Income and Other Income


Fee income increased $2.2 million to $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to an increase in administrative fees in the Fully Insured Health segment including $.9 million of fees earned by IHC Health Solutions, Inc. and AMC as a result of their acquisitions by the Company in 2007.


Total other income remained comparable to the third quarter of 2006.


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves


Benefits, claims and reserves increased $24.6 million. The increase is mainly due to: (i) an increase of $15.5 million in the Medical Stop-Loss segment, primarily resulting from an increase in claims experience and reserve strengthening as described in further detail below; (ii) an increase of $8.3 million in the Fully Insured Health segment, primarily due to the increase in volume; (iii) an increase of $1.6 million in the Group segment primarily due to higher loss ratios in the group disability line of business; and (iv) a $.8 million decrease in all other lines.




23


Reserve Strengthening:


Medical Stop-Loss


In accordance with its reserving methodology, the Company initially establishes its medical stop-loss reserves based on its best estimate of the Projected Net Loss Ratio, which is set based on underlying pricing assumptions developed using completed prior experience trended forward ("Projected Net Loss Ratio"). This use of projections reflects the fact that actual claims on medical stop-loss cases typically are not fully reported until after the end of the policy period. The Company uses the Projected Net Loss Ratio to set reserves until developing losses provide a better indication of ultimate results and it is feasible to set reserves based on claim development patterns. It is then the common practice of the Company to increase or decrease claims reserves once the actual claims experience becomes known. Projected Net Loss Ratios and claim development patterns are reviewed quarterly as reserve estimates are developed and are based on recent claim development history ("Claim Development Patterns").


Medical stop-loss business is excess coverage with a short duration. Predicting ultimate claims and estimating reserves in medical stop-loss is especially complicated due to the “excess of loss” nature of these products with very high deductibles applying to specific claims on any individual claimant and in the aggregate for a given group. Fluctuations in results for specific coverage are primarily due to the severity and frequency of individual claims. Due to the short-term nature of medical stop-loss, redundancies and deficiencies will typically emerge during the following year rather than over a number of years.


Consistent with our experience, the industry as a whole has succumbed to the pricing pressures caused by an unexpectedly long down cycle (or "soft" market) for medical stop-loss business. The medical stop-loss market has been “soft” for the past four years, including cases written in 2006 and 2007, which means that many of the Company’s competitors have been willing to write business at little or no margin. The Company has been aware of these market conditions and has curtailed its growth in order to attempt to achieve higher profit margins.  The Company believed that it had taken sufficient action to insure that business written in 2006 produced better margins than that written in 2005 and formulated a Projected Net Loss Ratio reflecting such expectations.  As is typical with medical stop-loss business, MGUs do have some discretion within the Company’s underwriting guidelines to make pricing concessions on certain cases, particularly as it relates to maintain their core renewal business and production sources. 


In the third quarter of 2007, during the Company’s quarterly review of its Claim Development Patterns, the Company identified a material increase in claims and reserves with respect to business written in 2006. Such adverse development was primarily driven by the frequency of claims relative to the business written in that year proving significantly higher than predicted by prior loss development patterns. This increased frequency of medical stop-loss claims was, in part, due to increased severity of primary claims.  The Company has determined that the increase in claims was an indication of a pattern of higher loss frequency. While claims related to business written in 2007 have not yet developed to a level where Claim Development Patterns would provide reliable estimates of ultimate claim levels, the Company believes that it is appropriate to re-estimate the 2007 Projected Net Loss ratios in this quarter to mirror developing losses with respect to business written in 2006.


As a result of these actions, the Company has recognized a $14.9 million charge, before income taxes, in the third quarter of 2007 relating to both the 2006 and 2007 Business. This resulted in a Net Loss Ratio (defined as insurance benefits, claims and reserves divided by (premiums earned less underwriting expenses)) for the medical stop-loss line in the three and nine month-period ended September 30, 2007 of 138.8% and 122.3%, respectively, compared with 94.6% and 94.9% in the prior period, respectively. The loss ratios in the third quarter and nine months of 2007 are significantly affected by the $14.9 million charge recognized in this quarter, and are not indicative of the net loss ratios anticipated in our medical stop-loss line on an underwriting year basis. Approximately $3.8 million of the charge, relates to the 2007



24


Business and $11.1 million relates to the 2006 Business and prior.


Fully Insured Health


The adverse development in the Fully Insured Health segment is largely related to overestimating the value of certain new initiatives started in 2006 intended to manage and reduce claims costs, including medical care management services to insureds, negotiation of out-of-network claims, and auditing provider bills ("Cost Containment Program") and underestimating in 2006 the seasonality patterns that are a result of an increasing portion of the business having high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”).    Although this Cost Containment Program did have a positive impact on the results of the small group major medical line, during 2007 the Company determined that the impact was not as large as it had anticipated when setting reserves in 2006.  With respect to the seasonality patterns, HDHPs have fewer claims in the first quarter of a plan year and higher claims in the last quarter of the plan year. Primarily as a result of these two factors during 2006, the Company believed that its small group block of business had significantly better loss ratios than have now been determined.


  Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs


Amortization of deferred acquisition costs increased $.6 million in third quarter of 2007 over the same period in 2006.


Interest Expense on Debt


Interest expense increased $.1 million, primarily due to interest on a line of credit paid at 6.65% in 2007 compared to 3.96% in 2006.  


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Total selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the third quarter of 2006. The increase is primarily due to (i) a $4.2 million increase in commission and administrative expenses associated with the operation of the Fully Insured Health segment, primarily due to (a) $1.8 million from the acquisitions of CAM and AMC in 2007; (b) an overall increase in operating costs of $2.1 million (reported as SGA expense as described below); and (c) an increase of $.3 million in amortization expense as a result of purchase accounting; (ii) a $2.1 million increase in the Medical Stop-loss segment; and (iii) a $.5 million increase in all other segments.


 The higher operating expenses in our Fully Insured Health segment is largely attributable to (i) the costs of development and implementation for the new fully insured programs being initiated in 2007 and 2008, and (ii) higher costs of implementing new administration systems. Costs associated with new programs include product development, pricing, product filing and staffing, and are often incurred during a three to twelve month period prior to the effective date of the first policy sold.


Income Taxes (Benefit)


Income tax expense decreased $6.5 million resulting in a benefit of $(4.9) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 from $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2006 primarily due to the pre-tax loss in the third quarter of 2007.  The effective tax rates were 36.6% and 28.2% for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.



25


Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006


Net income was $.1 million, or $.01 per share, diluted, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $10.4 million compared to net income of $10.5 million, or $.69 per share, diluted, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The Company's income (loss) before taxes decreased $15.6 million to $(.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $15.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  Information by business segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:


 

 

 

Equity

 

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Income

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

And

Acquisition

And

 

September 30,  2007

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

    (In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

124,777 

3,370 

249 

1,347 

99,075 

33,538 

$

(2,870)

Fully Insured Health

53,457 

444 

124 

30,401 

38,565 

185 

47,029 

(1,353)

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

 32,781 

7,964 

28 

311 

25,949 

105 

11,021 

4,009 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

20,972 

22,854 

2,463 

28,152 

4,304 

7,131 

6,702 

Credit life and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disability

 

16,197 

 

682 

 

 

26 

 

8,146 

 

3,672 

 

5,878 

 

(791)

Corporate

 

 

486 

 

 

 

 

 

4,798 

 

(4,312)

Sub total

$

248,184 

 

35,800 

$

 401 

$

34,548

$

199,887

$

8,266 

$

109,395 

 

1,385 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

1,473 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,169)

(Loss) before income taxes (benefit)

 

 

 

 

(311)

Income taxes (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(419)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108 


 

 

 

Equity

 

Benefits,

Amortization

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Income

Fee and

Claims

of  Deferred

General

 

 

Premiums

Investment

From

Other

and

Acquisition

And

 

September 30, 2006

Earned

Income

AMIC

Income

Reserves

Costs

Administrative

Total

     (In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

115,654 

2,928 

406 

2,304 

81,436 

30,240 

$

9,616 

Fully Insured Health

22,693 

123 

22,339 

13,103 

89 

31,970 

(7)

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life, annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and DBL

32,523 

6,671 

327 

23,819 

124 

11,053 

4,525 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

22,067 

23,558 

935 

29,214 

3,671 

6,615 

7,060 

Credit life and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disability

 

16,192 

 

560 

 

-

 

55 

 

7,595

 

3,657 

 

6,044 

(489)

Corporate

 

 

1,348 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4,608 

 

(3,260)

Sub total

$

209,129 

$

35,188 

$

406

$

25,960

$

155,167

$

7,541 

$

90,530 

 

17,445 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

 

 

 

720 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,821)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,344 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,880 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,464 



26


Premiums Earned


Total premiums earned grew $39.1 million to $248.2 million in the first nine months of 2007 from $209.1 million in the comparable period of 2006. The increase is primarily due to: (i) the Fully Insured Health segment which increased $30.8 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the first nine months of 2006 (comprised of a $20.5 million increase in small group premiums as a result of the acquisition of a block of business which transitioned to the Company's paper in the third quarter of 2006, a $3.8 million increase in short-term medical premiums, a $3.3 million increase in dental premiums primarily due to new business, and a $3.2 million increase due to new vision and limited medical products in 2007); and (ii) the Medical Stop-Loss segment which increased $9.1 million primarily due to an increase in assumed business.


Net Investment Income


Total net investment income increased $.6 million primarily due to slightly higher yields on the bond portfolio in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, offset by lower investable assets due to the acquisitions of CAM and AMC in 2007 and lower investment income from partnerships. The overall investment yield was 5.4% and 5.3% in the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Net Realized Investment Gains


Net realized investment gains increased $.8 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. These amounts include gains and losses from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale, as well as trading securities 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.


Equity Income from AMIC


Equity income from AMIC remained comparable to the same period in 2006.


Fee Income and Other Income


Fee income increased $7.6 million to $31.5 million in the first nine months of 2007 from $23.9 million in the first nine months of 2006, primarily due to an increase in administrative fees in the Fully Insured Health segment including an increase of $3.4 million earned by IAC in addition to $2.4 million of fees earned by IHC Health Solutions, Inc. and AMC as a result of their acquisitions by the Company in 2007.


Total other income increased $.9 million in the first nine months of 2007 to $3.0 million from $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2006, primarily due to adjustments in 2007 in settlement of a reinsurance agreement.  


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves


Benefits, claims and reserves increased $44.7 million. The increase is primarily due to: (i) an increase of $17.7 million in the Medical Stop-Loss segment, primarily resulting from an increase in claims experience and reserve strengthening of $14.9 million as described previously in Reserve Strengthening; and (ii) an increase of $25.5 million in the Fully Insured Health segment, primarily due to the increase in volume and adverse development of $1.3 million related to the 2006 year as described previously in Reserve Strengthening.  



27


Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs


Amortization of deferred acquisition costs increased $.8 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.


Interest Expense on Debt


Interest expense increased $.4 million, primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in outstanding debt under a line of credit from $12.5 million to $15.0 million during the third quarter of 2006. The interest rate paid on that line was 6.65% in 2007 compared to 3.96% in 2006.  In addition, the interest rate on $12.4 million of floating rate junior subordinated debt averaged 9.4% in the first nine months of 2007 as compared to 9.0% in the first nine months of 2006.


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Total selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.9 million in the first nine months of 2007 as compared to the first nine months of 2006. The increase is primarily due to (i) a $15.0 million increase in commission and administrative expenses associated with the operation of the Fully Insured Health segment, primarily due to (a) $4.5 million from the acquisition of CAM and AMC; (b) an overall increase in operating costs of $9.6 million (reported as SGA expense, as previously described); and (c) a $.9 million increase in amortization expense as a result of purchase accounting; and (ii) a $3.3 million increase in commissions and other general expenses in the Medical Stop-Loss segment due to higher volume.


Income Taxes (Benefit)


Income tax expense decreased $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $4.9 million for the first nine months of 2006 primarily due to the decrease in pre-tax income in 2007. The resulting benefit of $(.4) million is primarily related to state income taxes causing an effective rate of 134.7%. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2006 was 31.8%.


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. The Company reported a net use of cash from operations of $15.4 million primarily due to the settlement of two reinsurance contracts. Neither the Company's current period net loss, nor its net use of cash from operations, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on its liquidity.


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.



28



BALANCE SHEET


Total investments and cash and cash equivalents decreased $30.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 largely due to $9.0 million in cash used for acquisitions, an increase of $5.2 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities, and a $12.4 million increases in amounts due to and from reinsurers, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in amounts due from and to brokers.


The Company had net receivables from reinsurers of $85.8 million at September 30, 2007. Substantially all of the business ceded to such reinsurers is of short duration. All of such receivables are either due from the Company's affiliate, Independence American, highly rated companies or are adequately secured. No allowance for doubtful accounts was necessary at September 30, 2007.


During the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded reserve strengthening of $11.1 million primarily related to its 2006 Business due to emerging Claim Development Patterns, which are applied to generate reasonably reliable estimates of ultimate claim levels. These are reviewed quarterly as reserve estimates are developed and are based on recent claim development history. The Company must determine whether changes in development represent true indications of emerging experience or are simply due to random claim fluctuations.   The adverse development to the Claim Development Patterns was due to the frequency of claims reported in the quarter being significantly higher than predicted by prior loss development patterns.  This frequency of medical stop-loss claims was due, in part, to the increasing severity of primary claims.  The Company has determined that this increase in claims is an indication of a pattern of higher loss frequency.


In addition, the Company recorded reserve strengthening of $3.8 million on its 2007 Business primarily as a result of the Company’s review of the Claim Development Patterns of the 2006 Business.  This business was reserved using the Projected Net Loss Ratio.  This change represents a deviation of approximately eight Net Loss Ratio points from the Projected Net Loss Ratio.  


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 (iii) 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 Company had estimated that a reasonably likely deviation would fall between three to five points, although believed that larger deviations were possible as was the case this quarter. The Company is currently reevaluating the impact of the third quarter 2007 loss development on the reasonably likely deviation from its Projected Net Loss Ratio and on its Claim Development Patterns as it appears in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  





29


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


 

 

Total Health Reserves

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

95,845

$

86,265

Fully Insured Health

 

39,585

 

14,526

Group Disability

 

68,982

 

64,786

Credit A&H

 

7,562

 

7,426

Individual A&H and Other

 

8,692

 

9,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

220,666

$

182,455


The $2.4 million decrease in total stockholders' equity in the first nine months of 2007 is primarily due to a $3.1 million increase in net unrealized losses on investments.


Asset Quality


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. Of the aggregate carrying value of the Insurance Group's investment assets, approximately 86.5% was invested in investment grade fixed maturities, resale agreements, policy loans and cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2007. Also at such date, approximately 98.8% of the Insurance Group's fixed maturities were investment-grade. These investments carry less risk and, therefore, lower interest rates than other types of fixed maturity investments. At September 30, 2007, approximately 1.2% of the carrying value of fixed maturities was invested in diversified non-investment grade fixed maturities (investments in such securities have different risks than investment grade securities, including greater risk of loss upon default, and thinner trading markets). The Company does not have any mortgage loans or non-performing fixed maturities at September 30, 2007. The Company's mortgage security portfolio has no exposure to sub-prime mortgages.


The Company reviews its investments regularly and monitors its investments continually for impairments. The Company did not record any losses for other-than-temporary impairments for the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2007. In 2006, the Company recorded a realized loss of $247,000 for other-than-temporary impairments in the nine months ended September 30.


The Company's gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities totaled $19.9 million at September 30, 2007. Substantially all of these securities were investment grade. The Company holds all fixed maturities as available-for-sale securities and, accordingly, marks all of its fixed maturities to market through accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The unrealized losses on all available-for-sale securities have been evaluated in accordance with the Company's policy and were determined to be temporary in nature at September 30, 2007.


The Company has chosen to carry all of its debt securities as available-for-sale. In the first nine months of 2007, the Company experienced an increase in net unrealized losses of $5.3 million which, net of deferred tax benefits of $1.8 million and net of deferred policy acquisition costs of $.4 million, reduced stockholders' equity by $3.1 million (reflecting net unrealized losses of $12.4 million at September 30, 2007 compared to net unrealized losses of $9.3 million at December 31, 2006). From time to time, as warranted, the Company employs investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures.





30




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 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 September 30, 2007, is not materially different from that reported in the schedule of such obligations at December 31, 2006.  


The chart below reflects the maturity distribution of Contractual Obligations at December 31, 2006 and was modified from that reported in Item 7 of the Company's Report on Form 10-K to include estimated interest payments.



 

 

 

 

Junior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinated

 

Interest

 

 

 

Insurance

 

On

 

 

 

 

Debt

 

Debt

 

on Debt

 

Leases

 

Reserves

 

Deposit

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

$

2,500 

$

$

3,957 

$

2,950 

$

140,180 

$

43,391 

$

192,978 

2008

 

2,500 

 

 

3,942 

 

2,872 

 

36,151 

 

40,894 

 

86,359 

2009

 

10,000 

 

 

3,650 

 

2,110 

 

29,780 

 

39,494 

 

85,034 

2010

 

 

 

3,481 

 

1,676 

 

26,197 

 

38,260 

 

69,614 

2011

 

 

 

3,481 

 

1,556 

 

24,213 

 

35,943 

 

65,193 

2012 and Thereafter

 

 

38,146 

 

77,223 

 

3,766 

 

180,599 

 

180,563 

 

480,297 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

$

15,000 

$

38,146 

$

95,734 

$

14,930 

$

437,120 

$

378,545 

$

979,475 



OUTLOOK


For 2007, IHC’s business plan is for its two insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life") and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life") to: (i) emphasize leveraging IHC’s existing vertically integrated fully insured health operations and policy filings in order to generate fee income at multiple levels of marketing and administration, as well as risk profit and profit commission income, (ii) continue to improve the profitability of their core lines of business, while expanding distribution, (iii ) to continue to examine various options with respect to its credit lines of business, (iv) diversify the distribution of their life and disability products, and (v) acquire blocks of life and annuity business to the extent opportunities arise.  The Company initially anticipated that it would have $800 million of annualized premiums, including those of AMIC, at December 31, 2007.  Due to delays in some policy filings, timing and implementation of certain programs which were expected to be effective in 2007 but will not be effective until 2008, the Company will not achieve that level of annualized premiums during 2007.  The following summarizes IHC's outlook for the remainder of the year and 2008, given the results of the third quarter of 2007, by segment:




31


 Fully Insured Health


Based on premiums written to date, the Company believes that during 2008, on an annualized basis, gross fully insured health premiums will approach those generated by its medical stop-loss line.   As a result of its multiple product filings, distribution sources, and the sheer size of the market, the Company is optimistic that its fully insured health business will continue to grow and yield profitable underwriting results. In addition, the Company has expended significant time and money in bringing to market several new programs that will start to produce premiums in 2008. Although, as demonstrated by the reserve strengthening in the second quarter of 2007, the Fully Insured Health segment results may change on a quarterly basis, in general, this segment tends to be less volatile and cyclical in nature than medical stop-loss business on an annual basis. High deductible health plans (“HDHPs”), which are an increasing portion of the small group major medical line, have fewer claims in the first quarter of a plan year and higher claims in the last quarter of the plan year, which will result in fluctuations in quarterly results.


Medical Stop-Loss


The medical stop-loss market is generally cyclical in nature. When a product experiences several consecutive years of underwriting profitability, it is not unusual for there to be more competitors entering that line which can increase pressure on pricing and create a “softer” market. Consistent with our experience, the industry as a whole has succumbed to the pricing pressures caused by an unexpectedly long down cycle (or "soft" market) for medical stop-loss business. A leading rating agency recently commented that this market condition has placed considerable downward pressure on operational margins. As a result of these market conditions, the rate that the Company's carriers were able to charge for medical stop-loss increased at a lesser rate in recent years.  Considering historical trends, consolidation in the industry, and early indications as to January 2008 pricing, many in the industry are hopeful that the medical stop-loss market will see improved underwriting results on business written in 2008. In addition, the Company has cancelled or significantly reduced retention on several MGUs that have produced unfavorable loss ratios and contributed disproportionately to the reserve strengthening this quarter.  This, in conjunction with greater adherence by the MGUs to our underwriting guidelines, should produce improved underwriting results for the Company on business incepting in 2008.


Group Disability, Life, Annuities and DBL


The Company anticipates modest growth in its group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment.


Individual Life, Annuities and Other


IHC did not acquire any life or annuity blocks in the first nine months of 2007, but will continue to consider financially viable life and annuity blocks in the future.


ITEM 3.         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The Company manages interest rate risk by seeking to maintain a 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.


The expected change in fair value as a percentage of the Company's fixed income portfolio at September 30, 2007 given a 100 to 200 basis point rise or decline in interest rates is not materially



32


different than the expected change at December 31, 2006 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 many 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 issued by liquidated companies which tend to exhibit lower surrender rates than such policies of continuing companies. For the remaining policies that exhibit the typical interest sensitive characteristics, the Company manages the risk by adjusting crediting interest rates and monitoring the surrender rates.  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.


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 September 30, 2007 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


The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its businesses. The Company has established reserves that it believes are sufficient given information presently available related to its outstanding legal proceedings and claims. The Company believes the results of pending legal proceedings and claims are not expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or cash flows, although there could be such an effect on its results of operations for a 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, 2006 in Item 1A to Part 1 of Form 10-K.


ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


Not Applicable




33


Share Repurchase Program


IHC has a program, initiated in 1991, under which it repurchases shares of its common stock. In August 2007, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 100,000 shares to be purchased under the 1991 plan. As of September 30, 2007, 131,657 shares were still authorized to be repurchased under the plan. Share repurchases during the third quarter of 2007 are summarized as follows:


2007

 

 

 

 

Maximum Number

 

 

Average Price

Of Shares Which

Month of

Shares

of Repurchased

Can be

 

Repurchase

 

Repurchased

 

Shares

 

Repurchased

 

 

 

 

July

10,964

$19.88

31,657 

 

August

-

-

131,657 

 

September

-

-

131,657 

 

 

 

 

 


ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


Not applicable


ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


Not applicable


ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION


Not applicable


ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


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



34


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:

November 9, 2007

Roy T.K. Thung

Chief Executive Officer and President





By:

/s/Teresa A. Herbert                                    

Date:

November 9, 2007

Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer







35