ICAMA the Compact

The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) was established in 1986 to safeguard and protect the interstate interests of children covered by an adoption assistance agreement when they move or are adopted across state lines.

ICAMA is an agreement between and among its member states that enables them to coordinate the provision of medical benefits and services to children receiving adoption assistance in interstate cases. The Compact, which has the force of law within and among party states, provides a framework for uniformity and consistency in administrative procedures when a child with special needs is adopted by a family from another state, or the adoptive family moves to another state.

By providing substantive guarantees and workable procedures for interstate cooperation, ICAMA prevents or eliminates geographic barriers that may delay or deny the provision of medical assistance and post-adoption services to families who have adopted children with special needs.

Forty-nine (49) states and the District of Columbia have adopted ICAMA through legislation.