Hidalgo County Health Department and OnMed Open First CareStation Providing No-Cost Primary Care to Residents

McAllen, TX — The Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Department (HCHD), in partnership with OnMed, celebrated the opening of the first OnMed CareStation in the Rio Grande Valley with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the county’s McAllen clinic.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, HCHD Director Dairen Sarmiento Rangel, and representatives from OnMed and Molina Healthcare joined community members to mark this milestone.

The OnMed CareStation is a private, ADA-accessible “Clinic-in-a-Box” that connects patients with licensed medical professionals through secure telehealth technology. Inside, residents can check vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels and then consult with a provider in real time. The CareStation is available to all residents as part of HCHD’s commitment to expanding access to everyday healthcare.

This launch is made possible through a collaboration with OnMed and support from Molina Healthcare of Texas.

The CareStation represents a major step forward by adding no-cost primary care visits to the services offered by Hidalgo County. For the first time, residents can access primary care at no cost, in a private and secure setting, without the need for an appointment.

“This marks an important and meaningful milestone for health care in Hidalgo County,” said County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “Too many of our families face barriers to quality and affordable services. The CareStation is an innovative way to close that gap, bringing advanced technology and compassionate care directly into our community so more people can live healthier, better lives.”

“Access to quality health care can be difficult for residents who are uninsured or underinsured,” said HCHD Director Dairen Sarmiento Rangel. “With this CareStation, we are now able to include primary care among the services we provide. We are so proud to offer this valuable resource to our Hidalgo County residents.”

“People shouldn’t have to travel far or wait weeks just to see a doctor,” said Karthik Ganesh, CEO of OnMed. “This partnership is about making every day healthcare easier to reach and helping communities take charge of their health in a way that feels simple and supportive.”

What the OnMed CareStation Offers

• No-cost primary care consultations with licensed medical professionals

• On-site vitals such as blood pressure, temperature, oxygen levels, and weight

• Clinical guidance, care plans, prescriptions, and referrals

• A private, ADA accessible exam space with HCHD staff support for patients 2 years and older

As the first OnMed CareStation in the Rio Grande Valley, this launch positions Hidalgo County as a leader in innovative, accessible health care delivery for South Texas communities.