he's not driving a car :)

This is the first time I have ever heard of it working like this. Maybe your plan does, but I just looked at my plan it says they cover 80% of hospital costs. It says nothing about a second copay for this coverage. Although I do see that my plan has a max out of pocket payment of $6,000. so I would only be on the hook for up to that much.

That's pretty high. Usually I see maybe 3000 per person or 6000 per family per year max out of pocket. 3 grand is basically an ambulance ride and an emergency room visit for some stitches. After that insurance should take care of it 100%.

Some insurance is $150 ER visit and 20% out of pocket for hospital stay until the out of pocket maximum is met at 3 grand then they cover the rest.

When I chose my plan I had to make some choices. I could have either had a lower max out of pocket for hospitals etc and not as good of prescription coverage or I could have had a higher overall deductible. I have asthma and one of the medications I take for it is pretty expensive so I chose to have the better prescription coverage. If I end up in the hospital the extra I may have to pay will have more than been covered by what I saved on medication.