Connecticut to Workers: Sign Up for Wellness Program, or Else

"We're checking on folks," he said. "It's kind of a clarion call to people to set their appointments. Let us know when you plan to do it."

Tara Downes, a spokeswoman for the comptroller's office, said about 6,000 of 51,000 enrolled state workers — about 12% — had not complied as of Wednesday. But that number is falling fast, she said.

The program is part of a labor agreement negotiated last year between the Malloy administration and unions. Instead of imposing higher co-pays and rolling back health insurance coverage, Connecticut officials want workers to get colonoscopies, mammograms, annual physicals, teeth cleanings and other preventive measures to help cut costs.

Dan Livingston, the labor lawyer who helped negotiate the agreement with the administration, said the health maintenance arrangements will help keep down rising health care costs.

Krzys said Connecticut's program is new, forcing officials to solve problems as they emerge such as a website he said is not very good or letters that may have gone to the wrong member of a household.

The website, www.cthep.com, requires employees or retirees to log in, but provides no information about the health program.

"This is kind of an administrative nightmare right now," Krzys said. "We're building the airline while we're flying it."