Health Affairs August 5, 2022
The Medicare Advantage program launched in 1985 as a means to expand access to coordinated care and comprehensive benefits, and to bring efficiencies and cost savings to Medicare by leveraging private-sector managed care. While important debate continues on the value of managed care generally, beneficiaries are overwhelmingly satisfied with Medicare Advantage, enrollment in the program is increasing year over year, and participating managed care plans are offering a rapidly growing array of new and innovative benefits. These innovative benefits are a key feature of the Medicare Advantage program that differentiates it from traditional Medicare and a key reason for the program’s popularity among Medicare beneficiaries. As policy makers debate the future role of private Medicare plans, they need to take...