Should I choose an expensive silver plan for "extra savings on out-of-pocket costs" or stick to cheap plan?

Healthcare Marketplace plan quality changes based on income?

Now that I have a little income, I had to update some things on my healthcare.gov application. I still get a pretty big tax credit (I guess also known as a subsidy? or is there a difference?), thank goodness, or even the worst plan would wipe out half my monthly paycheck.

I procrastinated on my application, but luckily it seems I have a Special Enrollment Period that gives me some more time to decide on an actual plan.

I’m trying to decide if I should stick to my cheap plan that will cost me $23.27 (used to be $0. Dang.) or if I should try a $100+ silver plan to qualify for “extra savings on out-of-pocket costs” as a little notification is telling me. I guess it could be nice if it does everything stated here: https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/save-on-out-of-pocket-costs/

But I’m also fairly hopeful I won’t need to do much beyond a couple of visits a year and various medications. Often even with my insurance, I go the “same day/cash” approach since it’s way cheaper than going through insurance, so saving up for that stuff is more appealing. (Even back when I had “good” insurance through work, this felt like the better option). The insurance is more just for the nightmare scenario of a 10,000+ plus bill.

Thanks in advance for any input.

See also  Don’t hibernate! Embrace the joys of winter hiking with these 5 tips