Help me understand out-of-network insurance policy

[Anonymous]

It's open enrollment and I'm looking into a health insurance plan that hopefully will give my family the least total medical expense. This year, we reached the out-of-pocket max for in-network but haven't met the out-of-network deductible.

One plan states,"Only the amount you pay for in-network covered expenses counts toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The amount you pay for out-of-network covered expenses counts toward both your in-network and out-of-network deductible and out-of-pocket maximums."
If deductible is $1000 for in-network, $2000 for out-of-network and out-of-pocket-max is $3000 for in-network, $5000 for out-of-network, does it mean:

- I should use the out-of-network providers at the beginning of the year, if possible, because the expenses count toward in-network deductible and out-of-pocket max? Once I reach the out-of-network deductible (or even the out-of-pocket max) mid-year, if I go to any in-network providers then I pay nothing?

TIA!