CA AB1606

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to include reimbursement for department-approved chronic disease self-management programs under Medi-Cal as part of existing restructuring proposals

Defines "department-approved chronic disease self-management programs" as programs tested through randomized controlled trials that improve health outcomes for people over 18 with chronic disease and have results published in peer-reviewed journals

Permits nonclinical workers or volunteers to deliver services and allows courses to be provided through the Internet, particularly for homebound and disabled individuals

Requires programs to be affiliated with a licensed Medi-Cal provider responsible for billing, quality monitoring, and cultural competency

If better care coordination is included in restructuring proposals, the department must implement chronic disease self-management program reimbursement as part of that care coordination implementation