West Virginia CHIP does not require a checking account to receive benefits
West Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), called Mountain Health CHIP, does not ask for or need your checking account information to cover your children. The program does not make monthly payments to families. Instead, it pays healthcare providers directly — doctors, hospitals, pharmacies — when your child receives care.
Because CHIP reimburses providers rather than sending money to you, there is no reason for the program to collect bank details. If someone claiming to represent Mountain Health CHIP asks for your account number, routing number, or other banking information, that is a scam.
Key Takeaways
- Mountain Health CHIP pays doctors and hospitals directly for your child's care, so it has no need for your checking account details.
- The program will ask for your Social Security number, income information, and proof of West Virginia residency during enrollment, but never for banking information.
- If a caller or email claims to be from CHIP and requests your account number or PIN, hang up or delete the message and report it to the program.
- You can enroll in Mountain Health CHIP through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website or by calling 1-877-WVCHIP-1.
What information Mountain Health CHIP actually collects
When you enroll your child in Mountain Health CHIP, the program asks for information to verify your household income, family size, and West Virginia residency. This includes your Social Security number, proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), and a current address.
The program also asks about any other health insurance your child has and whether your child has special healthcare needs. None of this requires access to your bank account. The enrollment process happens through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, either online at dhhr.wv.gov or by phone.
How Mountain Health CHIP pays for your child's care
When your child sees a doctor or fills a prescription, the provider submits a claim to Mountain Health CHIP. The program pays the provider directly from state and federal funds. Your role is to show your CHIP card at the time of care — you do not handle any money.
If a provider asks you to pay out of pocket and then seek reimbursement from CHIP, that is unusual. Contact Mountain Health CHIP directly to confirm whether the provider is in-network. In-network providers should bill CHIP without asking you to pay first.
Red flags that signal a scam
Scammers sometimes pose as CHIP representatives to steal banking information or Social Security numbers. Real CHIP staff will never call you asking for your checking account number, debit card number, PIN, or online banking password. They will not ask you to wire money or buy gift cards.
If you receive an unsolicited call, text, or email claiming to be from Mountain Health CHIP and asking for financial information, do not respond. Hang up the phone or delete the message. Then contact Mountain Health CHIP directly using the phone number on your CHIP card or the official state website to report the contact.
How to reach Mountain Health CHIP with questions
If you are unsure whether a request for information is legitimate, contact Mountain Health CHIP directly. Call 1-877-WVCHIP-1 (1-877-982-4471) during business hours. You can also visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website at dhhr.wv.gov and look for the CHIP section.
Keep the phone number from your CHIP card handy. That number connects you to the real program, not to a scammer pretending to be CHIP. If you have already given someone your banking information and you are worried it was a scam, contact your bank immediately and ask them to watch your account for unauthorized activity.
What to do if you think you have been scammed
If you gave your checking account information to someone claiming to be from Mountain Health CHIP, contact your bank right away. Tell them you may have shared your account number or routing number with a scammer. Your bank can flag your account and watch for suspicious withdrawals.
Also report the scam to the West Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-368-8808 or visiting ag.wv.gov. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports help law enforcement track scam patterns and protect other families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mountain Health CHIP ever ask for a checking account number?
No. CHIP pays providers directly for care, so it has no reason to ask for your bank details. If someone claiming to represent CHIP asks for your account number, it is a scam. Hang up and call the program using the number on your CHIP card to report it.
What information do I need to give when I enroll my child in CHIP?
You will need your Social Security number, proof of income (such as recent pay stubs), proof of West Virginia residency, and information about your household size and any other health insurance your child has. You do not need to provide banking information at any point in the enrollment process.
Can I use CHIP benefits if I do not have a bank account?
Yes. CHIP does not require you to have a checking account. The program pays doctors and hospitals directly when your child receives care. You simply show your CHIP card at the time of the visit.
What should I do if I already gave my bank information to someone claiming to be from CHIP?
Contact your bank immediately and tell them you may have shared your account number with a scammer. Ask them to monitor your account for unauthorized activity. Then report the scam to the West Virginia Attorney General at 1-800-368-8808 and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
How do I know if a CHIP representative is real?
Real CHIP staff will never ask for your checking account number, PIN, or online banking password. If you are unsure whether a call or email is legitimate, hang up or do not respond. Call the number on your CHIP card or visit dhhr.wv.gov to contact the program directly and ask about the contact.