When Did Medicare Advantage Plans Start? 
The concept of Medicare Advantage Plans originated in 1997 with the passage of the Balanced Budget Act . At that time , Medicare recipients were offered the choice to get Part C -LRB- the common name for Medicare + Choice -RRB- from a private insurer . In 2003 the Medicare Prescription Drug , Improvement and Modernization Act made some changes for the insurers that offer these plans . At that time , Medicare + Choice Plans changed to be called Medicare Advantage Plans . 