Higher prices, less help and a government shutdown all hang over health insurance markets as shoppers start looking for coverage this month.

The annual enrollment window for millions of people to pick an individual plan opened Nov. 1 in nearly all states, and a heavy dose of politics weighs on this year’s search.

The federal government shut down as Democrats in Congress demanded negotiations to extend enhanced tax credits that have helped people buy coverage the past few years. Republicans say they won’t negotiate until Democrats vote to reopen the government.

Stuck in the middle are insurance customers , many of whom will be facing the biggest premium hikes they’ve seen in years and may be forced to consider changing plans.

“It seems overwhelming, but it really is

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