U.S. consumers are definitely logging on to their computers for information on health care, but they are obtaining it more through searches of key terms than through the web domains of insurers.

The number of visitors to health insurance provider websites has seen substantial declines, with more people searching topics related to obtaining health coverage over the past year, a new study by Reston, Va.-based comScore, an online research company, indicates.

Kevin Levitt, comScore’s vice president, said with U.S. unemployment approaching 10%, the millions of U.S. residents without health coverage or with “inadequate coverage” are looking online for information and assistance.

“In light of the recent health care debate in Congress, it’s especially important right now to understand which Americans are being affected, how they’re being affected, and where they’re turning for help,” Levitt said in a statement.

The company’s research shows that major health care providers are seeing a sharp decline in visitors. UnitedHealth Group, the Minnesota parent company of UnitedHealthcare, experienced the biggest unique visitor drop from June 2008 to this June, down 29%, with Philadelphia-based CIGNA seeing a 19% decline in online visitors.

Connecticut-based Aetna experienced a 12% drop and WellPoint, parent company of the Anthem Blues, saw an 11% decline, while Kaiser Permanente showed modest gains with a 1% traffic increase.

Sites offering both coverage and information, on the other hand, saw marked increases. AssurantHealth.com saw the biggest leap, up 254% over the one-year period, followed by USInsuranceOnline.com with a 119% jump in traffic and eHealthInsurance.com experienced 10% more visitors as well.

The research also discovered that the number of people searching health insurance terms has also increased with more than 67,000 people in June alone, as they sought information related to COBRA coverage. The search term COBRA, the federal benefits plan that kicks in after someone leaves a job, saw a 176% increase from June 2008 to this June. The number of people searching “apply for Medicaid” jumped 104%, “health insurance quotes” saw a 45% uptick and “affordable health insurance” experienced 41% more traffic than a year ago.

“Many Americans have an urgent need for health coverage right now, and it’s important for providers to be in front of consumers online where they are seeking out that information,” Levitt said.