Insurance premiums paid by employer for individual policies

My employer paid 24 month of insurance premiums as part of a separation agreement for my individual policy. After 6 months i received a notice from the insurance carrie that the policy would be terminated at the end of the year. I was given to options roll over into a similar plan with another carrie that they recommended or find coverage on my own. I chose the later and found coverage on my own. When I notified the original carrie they insisted on send the prepaid back to my employer. The individual plan was purchased to be self directed. I received the invoices and all correspondence directly. My former employer never notified me that I could not use all options present by my carrier. Do I have a right to these funds?