Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 9, 2005

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

-Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

-Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240a-12)

-Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

-Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

3. Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 - Press release of Independence Holding Company dated August 9, 2005.

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.

Stamford, Connecticut, August 9, 2005. Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2005 second quarter and six months results.

Net income increased 5.1% to $11,618,000, or $.82 per share, diluted, for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $11,050,000, or $.77 per share, diluted, for the six months ended June 30, 2004. The six months ended June 30, 2005 included after tax realized and unrealized securities gains of $666,000, or $.05 per share, diluted, versus $862,000, or $.06 per share, diluted, for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Revenues increased 21.8% to $134,655,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to six months ended June 30, 2004 revenues of $110,545,000.

IHC's 42% ownership of the common stock of American Independence Corp. (NASDAQ: AMIC) is accounted for on the equity method and had a carrying value, including goodwill, of $36,616,000 (3.5 million shares) at June 30, 2005. IHC's interest in AMIC's earnings is burdened twice: (i) by a non-cash provision for taxes recorded by AMIC and (ii) by a deferred tax charge at the IHC level. This burden amounted to $469,000 and $374,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $906,000 and $1,037,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Board of Directors of both IHC and AMIC have approved IHC increasing its ownership of AMIC's outstanding common stock to 49%.

Roy T.K. Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are delighted that our Company has reached two milestones this quarter, our Stockholders' Equity is now approximately $200 million ($14.32 per share) and our assets now exceed $1.0 billion ($1.1 billion at June 30, 2005). Our net income increased by almost 6% for the second quarter of 2005 compared to the second quarter of 2004, and revenues increased by approximately 19%. We have achieved these results despite: (i) a continuing generally "soft" market for employer medical stop-loss, our largest line of business; (ii) start-up costs associated with our significant expansion into multiple new lines of health insurance; and (iii) a significant reduction in investment income due to lower yields in 2005 as compared to 2004. The benefits of these new lines, which will not be realized fully until 2006, will complement our core medical stop-loss, life and disability businesses. We are looking forward to continuing to enhance shareholder value, and we remain quite optimistic as to IHC's outlook for 2005 and beyond."

Some of the statements included herein may be considered to be forward looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those suggested by such statements are described from time to time in IHC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.