Michigan Premium Estimator Used More Than 100,000 Times

Michigan’s online premium estimator was used more than 100,000 times in the first week people could shop in an insurance marketplace formed under the federal health care law.

The state Department of Insurance and Financial Services said that 23,000 unique visitors used the calculator.

A state website with information about the federally controlled insurance exchange saw a record of more than 12,000 visitors, and a toll-free number had more calls last week than during the entire month of September.

The U.S. government’s overloaded website has frustrated consumers trying to sign up for health insurance, but financial services department Director Kevin Clinton says the calculator and toll-free line helped residents get Michigan-specific answers.

The number is 877-999-6442.