Missouri law states if a Small Business policy provides coverage for an certificate holder's dependent under which coverage of the dependent terminates at a specific age before the dependent’s 25th birthday, the group plan must nevertheless provide coverage (at the certificate holder's option) to the dependent after that specific age up to the age of 25. In addition to being no more than 25 years of age, the dependent must be unmarried, a state resident and must not be provided health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan or government program. Have your mother contact the insurance carrier directly to verify that they recognize this legislation. If they confirm what you have been told, inquire as to why they are eempt for Missouri law. This might be the case if the group contract was written out-of-state, or the employer is an eempt non-profit or self-insures. - Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 11:43am