2 yrs ago my ex-employer set up health ins for company employees. Monthly premiums paid by company. Owner refused to put me on ins because I was over 40 and smoked. Said I was covered under husband's ins and didn't need this ins.
Each time I questioned him about getting on ins, he told me to wait til company was in positive cash flow. I called ins broker and she advised me that I could sign up anytime. I did just this in Dec 2000. On 1/19/01, employer recvd adjusted bill for my ins (only) for both Dec/Jan. He said he was not paying it. 30 mins later I was laid off.

I see you are registered in Ohio. If this was truly an insured product plan, (and not self-funded by the employer), the Ohio Department of Insurance consumer services can help you. Talk to them first, you may want to consider seeing an attorney. If what you say is true and there are no other circumstances we should be aware of, it sounds like the employer may have violated several laws or the terms of the insurance policy. You need legal advice to determine this though.