Medical Economics
Medicare Advantage: Challenges for people with ESRD and proposed improvements
July 16, 2025
The original purpose of Medicare Advantage (Part C), established as the “Medicare+Choice” program in 1997 and renamed Medicare Advantage in 2004, was to provide an alternative to original Medicare by offering equivalent coverage delivered by private health plans subject to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid regulation. These plans often include supplemental benefits and lower cost-sharing for enrollees while maintaining the same level of coverage as original Medicare (Parts A and B).