Manifest Money Talks

My question involves insurance law for the state of: California



My job offers health/vision/dental benefits to all of its employees. We had the option to decline if we already had insurance, which I did for over a year. I had my own individual plan, just for myself.



I was just told that do to some sort of contract my employer has with the benefit's company, my individual insurance is not valid because I must be part of a "group insurance." So now I am being forced to take the benefits offered by my employer. Is this legal? Can they force me to take their benefits when I already have a plan of my own?



Also, my finace' is self employed and has his own insurance plan as well. I considered joining his plan but was told this was also not valid because it's not "group insurace." He's self employed, this should be valid, shouldn't it?



Please help!