employer took money out of my paycheck

Ask for the money to be refunded in writing and see what happens. Oral requests are often ignored.

You state that your employer took money out of your paycheck to pay for health insurance benefits that you elected. With most group health insurance plans offered through employers, changes to coverage may only be done during open enrollment. Once open enrollment passes, you are stuck with the plan until next open enrollment unless there is a life changing event such as a divorce, job change, marriage, birth of a baby or adoption of a child.