Need help for choosing a plan for the first time

[andyhome]

I'm 29 years old (single) with chronic pain.
- Need physical therapy sessions (ongoing treatment).
- Nurse visits (injection-medication) bi-weekly (ongoing treatment).
- Expecting surgery in the next year and a half.

My new job is offering two health insurance plans:
1) $0 DEDUCTIBLE
Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum: $600
Per pay period: $118

2) $500 DEDUCTIBLE
Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum: $2000
Per pay period: $68

Both have dental and vision coverage.
Both Co-pays are similar, except (second plan: inpatient + outpatient + lab and x-ray are "80% after deductible").

Is it true that in my situation the zero-deductible plan is a better option?

P.S.: I'm new to the whole health insurance system in the US, so it's my first time doing all this.

 

[resjudicata]

@andyhome If you need a lot of necessary medical care then you are better off going with the $118 policy.

 

[outtaluck]

@andyhome Assuming biweekly pay periods, you'll pay $3068 in premiums plus $600 out of pocket max = $3668 for the first plan

For the second plan, you'd pay $1768 in premiums plus $2000 out of pocket max for a total of $3768.

If you're enrolling now, assuming half a year of premiums because I'm lazy and don't want to count weeks:

First plan is $1534 in premiums plus $600 OOP=$2134

Second plan is $884 in premiums plus $2000 out of pocket=$2884.

If you expect to hit your out of pocket max, you'll pay sightly less with the first plan in most years and a lot less this year. It may also be easier to budget consistent higher premiums each check vs having higher healthcare costs at the start of the year before you hit your deductible then out of pocket max.

 

[tge]

@andyhome Insurance agent here go with 1