Annual Wellness Visit vs. Sick Visits: Why You Need Both

At Temecula Medical Group, we believe your health deserves more than just a reaction to illness. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to take advantage of annual wellness visits—even if you're feeling perfectly fine. Many people confuse these with “sick visits,” but they serve two very different purposes.

So, what’s the difference? And why does it matter?

What Is a Sick Visit?

A sick visit is when you come in because something isn’t right—fever, sore throat, back pain, stomach issues, or any other acute symptoms. It’s about diagnosing and treating a current problem.

Think of it as damage control. You’re addressing something that has already disrupted your life.

What Is an Annual Wellness Visit?

An annual wellness visit is completely different. It’s a proactive appointment designed to keep you healthy and catch small issues before they become major problems.

At Temecula Medical Group, your annual wellness visit might include:

• A review of your medical history and medications

• Routine screenings (like blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose)

• Mental health screening

• Immunization updates

• Preventive care planning for things like colonoscopies, mammograms, or bone density testing

• Discussion of lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and physical activity

It’s not about treating symptoms. It’s about building a personalized plan for long-term health.

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5 Major Benefits of an Annual Wellness Visit

1. Prevention is Powerful
   Many chronic conditions—like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension—can be managed or even prevented when caught early.

2. Establishing a Baseline
   Regular visits help your provider understand what’s “normal” for you, making it easier to spot concerning changes.

3. Improved Mental Health
   Annual wellness visits are a great time to check in on your emotional well-being, which is just as important as your physical health.

4. Medication Check
   Are you still on the right medications? Are there side effects or better alternatives? We’ll review everything with you.

5. A Plan You Can Follow
   You’ll walk away with a customized plan tailored to your age, health risks, and lifestyle goals.

Why You Need Both

While sick visits help you bounce back from illness, wellness visits help you stay ahead of it. They’re two sides of the same coin.

It’s important to know that a sick visit doesn’t “count” as your annual wellness exam. If you come in for a sore throat, back pain, or any other issue, we’ll focus on treating that concern—but we won’t have the time or structure to cover the full preventive care checklist that comes with an annual wellness visit. To get the full benefits—like screenings, immunization reviews, and a personalized prevention plan—you need a dedicated annual wellness appointment.

In fact, studies show that patients who complete their annual wellness visits are more likely to stay up to date on important screenings, vaccines, and early interventions—and they experience better health outcomes overall.

Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit Today

Whether you’re due for your yearly exam or just haven’t seen your provider in a while, we’re here to help.

At Temecula Medical Group, we make it easy to prioritize your health—before problems arise. Our friendly team will walk you through every step, so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

Call us or book online to schedule your annual wellness visit today. Your future self will thank you.

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Author

Temecula Medical Group Place of Healing: We strive to make our clinic a healing space for all of our patients through compassionate care and active listening.