By Athena Mandros

The shifting trends in the "dual eligible" population are important to the strategy of any health and human service organization that serves consumers with complex needs. Why? Dual eligibles are more likely to report functional impairments—30% of dual eligibles versus 9% of the Medicare population. And they are more likely to have a serious mental illness—30% of full benefit dual eligibles and 25% of partial benefit dual eligible, compared to 11% of the Medicare-only population (see Trends In Behavioral Health: A Reference Guide On The U.S. Behavioral Health Financing & Delivery System). This translates to higher costs as well. In…