Monthly expenditures for individuals eligible for Medicare and Medicaid is nearly two times higher than that of people who receive just Medicare benefits, a new government report finds.

The average monthly expenditure for dual eligibles was $1,474, compared to $667 for Medicare-only beneficiaries as of 2007, according to a newly released report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For these individuals, 54% of total expenditures were by Medicare and 46% came from Medicaid, though the split varied state by state, the data showed.

Dual eligibles are among the poorest and sickest individuals and often are residents of nursing homes.

CMS officials said this data will be important to demonstration projects that seek to coordinate care for this population.

Click here to read the full report.