You’ve most likely heard the words Title XIX, Title XXI, and Title V (aka Title 19, Title 21, Title 5) bandied about in the halls and elevators throughout your careers- but some of you might not know what those words mean.  Here’s a thumbnail sketch:

Title V

When you hear someone say “Title V”, they’re talking about our maternal; and child health prevention programs.  “Title V” is the shortcut way of talking about maternal and child health because it’s Title V of the Social Security Act. 2010 is the 75th Anniversary of the Social Security Act which established the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services program.  Our Bureau of Women’s & Children’s Health and our Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs executes the Title V program in Arizona.

Title V programs provide the infrastructure that has led to big health improvements among our most vulnerable citizens.  The primary goals are to: 1) Reduce infant mortality and disabilities; 2) Increase immunization rates; 3) Increase the number of kids in low-income households that get assessments and follow-up diagnostic and treatment services; and 4) Ensure access to comprehensive perinatal care for women; 5) Ensure preventative and comprehensive care (including long-term care services) for kids with special health care needs; 6) Enhance rehabilitation services for blind and disabled children under 16 years of age who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income; and 7) Facilitate the development of comprehensive, family-centered, community-based, culturally competent, coordinated systems of care for kids with special healthcare needs.

Title XIX

When you hear the words Title XIX, it’s a shortcut for saying Medicaid- which is the national health care program for low income folks.  Medicaid was created in 1965, through Title XIX of the Social Security Act (that’s why it’s called Title XIX).  Each state administers its own Medicaid program.  The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors the state-run programs, matches state investments in the program (normally at about a 2:1 ratio- but more than that during certain times like now), and establishes requirements for service delivery, quality, funding, and eligibility standards.  In our state, the Medicaid program is run by AHCCCS.  Many of the services that we provide (most of our behavioral health services and children’s rehabilitative services) are run through the Title XIX state Medicare program (AHCCCS).

Title XXI

Title XXI is the shortcut way to describe the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  It’s a program administered by the fed’s, providing matching funds to states for health insurance for families with kids.  The program was designed to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are pretty low, but too high to qualify for Medicaid.  CHIP was created in 1997, and was the largest expansion of health insurance coverage for kids since Medicaid began.  It’s called Title XXI because CHIP was formed under Title XXI of the Social Security Act.

In Arizona, the program is called KidsCare, which is administered by AHCCCS.  Some of the services that we provide run through the Title XXI program- like some of our behavioral health services for kids and some of the kids in our children’s rehabilitative services program.