Short answer: Copay plans give predictable, fixed costs for common services and usually carry higher premiums, which can pay off for people who use care regularly. Big-ticket care still runs through the deductible, capped by the out-of-pocket maximum.
With a copay plan, routine visits and prescriptions cost a known flat fee, so members face fewer surprises and may spend less out of pocket if they use care often, at the cost of a higher monthly premium. Larger services like surgery or hospitalization typically still apply to the deductible and coinsurance. Either way, the out-of-pocket maximum caps total annual spending. Compared with a high-deductible plan, a copay plan trades a higher premium for lower, more predictable point-of-care costs.