Breast Augmentation in Colombia for Canadians

For a Canadian considering cosmetic breast surgery, a lower price abroad may get your attention, but it should never make the decision for you. Patients researching medical tourism in Colombia need to compare surgeon training, implant safety, operating-facility standards, postoperative support and what happens if a problem develops after returning home.

Current PlacidWay-listed breast augmentation options in Colombia are approximately $4,080–$4,200 USD, compared with an indicative Canadian benchmark of about $9,000 USD. Before treating that difference as savings, verify the surgical facility through Colombia's REPS system, the doctor through ReTHUS, and the proposed breast implant through INVIMA.

Affordable Breast Augmentation in Colombia for Canadians

Quick Summary:

Current Colombia pricing: PlacidWay-listed examples are approximately $4,080–$4,200 USD, although your personalized quote can change with implant choice, facility, anesthesia and surgical complexity.
Canadian comparison: An indicative Canadian benchmark of about $9,000 USD makes Colombia financially attractive, but airfare, accommodation, postoperative care and possible revision expenses must also be budgeted.
Facility credential: Verify the exact hospital or clinic and appropriate surgical services through Colombia's Registro Especial de Prestadores de Servicios de Salud, known as REPS.
Surgeon credential: Verify the doctor through ReTHUS and confirm appropriate postgraduate specialty training in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
Implant verification: Ask for the implant manufacturer, model, surface type, warranty and applicable INVIMA sanitary-registration information.
Recovery: Early swelling, tightness and discomfort are normal, but your return flight should be scheduled around medical recovery rather than the cheapest airfare.
Important caution: Canadians considering elective surgery abroad should investigate medical risks, provider credentials, facilities, insurance and postoperative care before travelling.

Why Canadians Consider Breast Augmentation in Colombia?

Canadian patients looking at breast augmentation overseas usually have more than one reason for researching Colombia. Private cosmetic surgery can represent a significant expense in Canada, while Colombian providers may offer lower procedure prices and access to surgeons who regularly perform aesthetic breast surgery.

Price alone, however, does not establish value. The better question is whether the surgeon, implant, anesthesia team, operating facility and follow-up plan can all be independently verified before you travel.

Procedure prices may be lower than private-pay breast augmentation in Canada.
Colombia has an established plastic-surgery sector and significant aesthetic procedure volume.
Government systems exist for verifying healthcare facilities and professionals.
International patients already represent a meaningful portion of Colombian aesthetic practices.
Canada appears among the commonly reported countries of origin for international aesthetic patients treated in Colombia.
Patients can compare multiple implant choices, surgical plans and providers rather than assuming every augmentation is identical.

Important: Colombia's popularity for cosmetic surgery does not mean every clinic or surgeon offers the same standard of care. Individual credentials and the quality of the operating environment matter more than a destination's overall reputation.

Recent Breast Augmentation and Cosmetic Surgery Volume in Colombia

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimated 490,944 aesthetic procedures in Colombia during 2024, including 321,408 surgical procedures. Breast augmentation accounted for an estimated 33,984 procedures.

These figures help demonstrate procedure volume in Colombia but should not be interpreted as evidence that an individual provider is safe or suitable for you.

Who May Be a Candidate for Breast Augmentation in Colombia?

A suitable breast augmentation candidate is generally someone who is medically fit for elective surgery, understands what implants can and cannot accomplish and has realistic expectations about appearance, scars, recovery and future implant care.

Your surgeon needs to evaluate more than your preferred cup size. Breast dimensions, skin quality, chest-wall anatomy, existing breast tissue, nipple position, previous operations and health history can all influence your surgical plan.

Assessment Area	Why It Matters?	Discuss With Your Surgeon
General health	Medical conditions may change anesthesia or surgical risk.	Full medical history and previous operations
Breast anatomy	Determines implant dimensions, pocket and possible need for lifting.	Width, tissue thickness and nipple position
Smoking or nicotine use	Can interfere with wound healing and increase surgical concerns.	When and how your surgeon expects nicotine to be stopped
Pregnancy plans	Pregnancy can change breast volume and shape after surgery.	Timing of augmentation and future breastfeeding goals
Expectations	Implants cannot guarantee perfect symmetry or a particular appearance.	Realistic outcome based on your anatomy
Travel schedule	International travel adds follow-up and flight considerations.	How long you should remain near the surgeon

When Breast Augmentation in Colombia May Need to Be Postponed?

Elective surgery may need to wait when your medical condition, pregnancy status, infection risk or recovery arrangements make surgery inappropriate at that time. A surgeon may also recommend postponing treatment when additional medical assessment is necessary.

An active illness or infection has not resolved.
A medical condition has not been adequately evaluated or stabilized.
You are pregnant or experiencing breast changes that require evaluation.
A new breast lump, unexplained discharge or other breast symptom needs investigation.
You cannot remain in Colombia long enough for appropriate early follow-up.
You do not yet have a safe postoperative support and complication plan.

Important: An online consultation cannot replace the physical examination and final medical assessment required before surgery.

Breast Augmentation Options Available in Colombia

Breast augmentation is not one standardized operation. Your surgeon must choose an implant, dimensions, incision location and implant pocket according to your anatomy and goals.

Breast Implant Choices in Colombia

Implant availability varies between Colombian providers. Rather than assuming one implant type is superior, ask why a particular device is being recommended for your chest measurements, tissue thickness and desired appearance.

Decision	What It Influences?	Question to Ask
Implant fill	Feel, rupture behavior and monitoring considerations	Why is this implant appropriate for my anatomy?
Implant surface	Relevant to specific long-term device risks	Is the implant smooth or textured?
Width and projection	Determines how the implant fits your chest and projects forward	How were these dimensions selected?
Implant volume	Contributes to final breast volume but does not determine appearance alone	What result is realistic with this volume on my chest?

Breast Implant Placement and Incision Choices in Colombia

Implants may be positioned beneath the breast tissue, partly or completely beneath the chest muscle, or using another pocket selected by the surgeon. Incisions can also be placed in different anatomical locations.

No placement is automatically correct for every patient. Existing tissue coverage, lifestyle, implant dimensions and surgeon assessment all influence the choice.

Breast Augmentation Versus Breast Lift in Colombia

An implant primarily adds volume. A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes and reshapes skin and breast tissue to address significant sagging. Some patients need augmentation alone, while others may require a lift with or without an implant.

Useful consultation question: Ask, “Will an implant alone address my concern, or am I being recommended a breast lift because of nipple position or skin laxity?”

Breast Augmentation Cost in Colombia Compared With Canada

Cost is one of the strongest reasons Canadians investigate breast augmentation in Colombia, but a meaningful comparison requires equivalent quotes. A surgery-only number should never be compared directly with a package that includes implants, anesthesia, hospital care and postoperative visits.

Patients can review current breast augmentation prices in Colombia to compare indicative costs across available options. Current PlacidWay-listed examples are approximately $4,080–$4,200 USD, with a working benchmark near $4,140 USD. An indicative Canadian comparison is approximately $9,000 USD.

Location	Indicative USD Benchmark	Important Context
Colombia	About $4,080–$4,200	Current PlacidWay-listed examples; inclusions vary.
Canada	About $9,000	Indicative comparison rather than a regulated national fee.

What a Breast Augmentation Quote in Colombia Should Include?

Cost Component	Confirm in Writing	Why It Matters?
Breast implant pair	Brand, model and warranty	Implant selection can affect price.
Surgeon's fee	Name of operating surgeon	Confirm who will perform the operation.
Anesthesia	Professional and anesthesia fee	Do not assume anesthesia is automatically included.
Operating facility	Facility charges	The exact surgical location should also be verified.
Pre-operative testing	Required tests and consultations	Requirements vary by patient.
Follow-up care	Number and type of appointments	Important for international patients.
Revision or complication care	What is covered and for how long	Can become a major unexpected cost.

Hidden Costs Canadians Should Add to a Colombia Breast Augmentation Budget

Flights from Canada
Hotel or recovery accommodation
Airport and medical transportation
Extra nights if your surgeon delays your return flight
Food and daily expenses
Travel-health insurance where applicable
Follow-up care after returning to Canada
Potential complication or revision expenses

Cost warning: A lower surgical quote does not necessarily mean a lower total cost. Compare the entire treatment-and-travel budget.

What Happens Before Breast Augmentation Surgery in Colombia?

A credible breast augmentation process should begin well before you arrive in Colombia. The consultation should evaluate your goals and medical history while giving you enough information to make a decision without pressure.

Your Breast Augmentation Consultation Before Travelling to Colombia

Many international patients initially consult remotely. During that discussion, the surgeon may review photographs and medical history, but the final operative plan should depend on an in-person examination.

Your consultation should cover:

Your reason for considering augmentation
Previous breast surgery or other major operations
Medical conditions and allergies
Current medications and supplements
Nicotine use
Pregnancy and breastfeeding plans
Implant type, size and dimensions
Incision and implant placement
Expected scars and realistic result
Complications and revision policy
Recommended time in Colombia

Preparing for Breast Augmentation in Colombia

Pre-operative instructions vary by patient and must come from your treating medical team. You may need laboratory testing, medical clearance or breast imaging depending on your age, health history and findings during assessment.

Provide an accurate list of medicines, supplements and health conditions. Do not independently stop prescription medicines because of generic online surgical advice.

What Happens on Breast Augmentation Surgery Day in Colombia?

Your identity and planned procedure should be confirmed.
The surgeon should review the final implant and surgical plan.
The anesthesia professional should complete an appropriate assessment.
The surgical team performs the procedure in the verified facility.
You are monitored during early recovery.
You receive written postoperative instructions and emergency contact information before discharge.

Who Travels to Colombia for Breast Augmentation and Cosmetic Surgery?

Colombia treats a meaningful number of patients who travel for aesthetic procedures. In the ISAPS 2024 survey, Colombian respondents reported a 20% median and 30% average proportion of patients attending from other locations.

The United States, Spain and Canada were the three most frequently cited origins for international aesthetic patients treated in Colombia. These statistics apply to aesthetic procedures broadly and should not be presented as breast-augmentation-only data.

Colombia Medical-Tourism Indicator	ISAPS 2024 Result
Median patients from other locations	20%
Average patients from other locations	30%
Most frequently cited foreign origin	United States
Second	Spain
Third	Canada

Breast Augmentation Patient Age and Gender Demographics

Reliable public data describing the exact age, province, income or demographic profile of Canadians who specifically travel to Colombia for breast augmentation are not available. Inventing a typical Canadian medical-tourism profile would therefore be inappropriate.

Global ISAPS data can provide broader context. In 2024, women represented approximately 97.2% of reported breast augmentation procedures worldwide. Age distribution was concentrated among adults aged 18–50.

How Colombia Regulates Breast Augmentation Clinics, Surgeons and Implants?

Understanding Colombia's healthcare regulatory structure is important for a Canadian patient. Different systems verify different parts of treatment, so one certificate should never be treated as proof of everything.

REPS Verification for Breast Augmentation Facilities in Colombia

The Registro Especial de Prestadores de Servicios de Salud (REPS) is Colombia's official registry for healthcare service providers. It records healthcare services that providers are authorized or enabled to offer.

Before booking, you can review breast implant clinics in Colombia as a comparison starting point, then independently verify the exact operating facility through Colombia's official systems.

ReTHUS Verification for Plastic Surgeons in Colombia

The Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud (ReTHUS) records healthcare professionals who have met requirements to practise a health profession or occupation in Colombia.

Use ReTHUS to confirm the physician's identity and professional status, then separately verify appropriate specialty training in plastic surgery.

INVIMA Verification for Breast Implants in Colombia

INVIMA is Colombia's national authority involved in the regulation and surveillance of medical devices. Breast implant information, safety communications and relevant device-registration details should be checked before surgery.

Colombia's National Health Accreditation System

Colombia also has a higher-level health accreditation system. Accreditation evaluates healthcare quality beyond basic authorization to operate and can provide an additional quality signal when genuinely held.

National accreditation should not be confused with REPS habilitation. International accreditations such as JCI may provide additional information when relevant, but they are not required for every legitimate Colombian healthcare provider.

System	What It Checks?	What Canadians Should Do?
REPS	Healthcare provider and enabled services	Verify exact surgical facility
ReTHUS	Healthcare professional registration	Verify surgeon identity and status
INVIMA	Medical-device regulation and surveillance	Check proposed implant information
National accreditation	Additional healthcare quality assessment	Verify independently if claimed
SCCP	Professional plastic-surgery society membership	Use as an additional surgeon check

How Canadians Should Choose a Breast Augmentation Clinic in Colombia?

A trustworthy provider should be relatively easy to verify. If basic information such as the surgeon's complete name, operating location or implant manufacturer is withheld until after you pay a deposit, consider that a warning sign.

Breast Augmentation Clinic Checklist for Colombia

Clinic Check	What You Should Verify?	Priority
REPS	Exact facility and relevant surgical services	Essential
Emergency system	Emergency response and transfer arrangements	Essential
Anesthesia support	Who administers anesthesia and monitors recovery	Essential
After-hours care	Who handles urgent postoperative concerns	High
Written quote	Itemized inclusions and exclusions	High
National/international accreditation	Verify independently if claimed	Additional signal

How to Verify a Breast Augmentation Surgeon in Colombia?

You can review information about plastic surgeons in Colombia as an initial comparison resource, but surgeon credentials should always be independently verified before treatment.

Get the full legal name: verify the exact surgeon who will perform the operation.
Search ReTHUS: confirm the doctor's registration.
Confirm specialty education: ask where the surgeon completed recognized plastic-surgery training.
Check SCCP membership: use it as an additional professional verification step where applicable.
Ask procedure experience: discuss experience with primary breast augmentation, revision surgery and implant complications.
Discuss complication management: ask who handles bleeding, infection, implant problems or unexpected hospitalization.
Request the revision policy: understand professional fees, facility costs and implant warranty conditions.

Choosing Bogotá, Medellín or Another Colombian City for Breast Augmentation

Your city should generally follow your surgeon and medical facility rather than the other way around. Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and other Colombian cities may offer cosmetic-surgery providers, but city reputation is not a substitute for individual credential verification.

Factor	What to Compare Between Colombian Cities?
Surgeon	Credentials, procedure experience and communication
Facility	REPS status, emergency support and postoperative services
Travel	Flight connections and travel burden from Canada
Recovery logistics	Distance between accommodation and surgical team
Emergency access	Hospital transfer pathway if higher-level care becomes necessary

Breast Implant Safety, Risks and Warning Signs After Surgery in Colombia

Breast augmentation is elective, but it remains an operation involving anesthesia, incisions and an implanted medical device. Your consent discussion should cover both early surgical risks and longer-term implant complications.

Breast Implant Information Canadians Should Keep

Implant Record	Why You Need It?
Manufacturer and brand	Needed for future identification and safety information.
Model and size	Important if revision or replacement is considered.
Surface type	Relevant to implant-associated safety discussions.
Serial or lot number	Provides device traceability.
INVIMA information	Supports verification of the Colombian regulatory status.
Warranty documentation	Explains manufacturer replacement conditions.

Possible Breast Augmentation Complications

Possible Complication	What It Means?	Question to Ask
Bleeding or hematoma	Blood collects around the surgical area.	How would postoperative bleeding be treated?
Infection	May require additional treatment and sometimes implant removal.	Who evaluates me if fever or redness develops?
Capsular contracture	Scar tissue around the implant becomes unusually tight.	How is significant contracture managed?
Rupture or deflation	The implant shell fails.	What monitoring applies to this implant?
Implant malposition	An implant heals in an undesirable position.	What revision policy applies?
Sensation changes	Nipple or breast sensation can change.	How may my planned incision affect sensation?

BIA-ALCL and Breast Implant Discussions for Canadian Patients

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL, is a rare lymphoma that can develop in tissue around an implant rather than in breast tissue itself. Health Canada continues to monitor this condition and has reported a stronger association with certain textured implants.

Ask your surgeon to identify the implant surface and explain current device-specific safety information rather than simply telling you an implant is “safe.”

Long-Term Breast Implant Monitoring After Returning to Canada

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Keep your implant card, operative report and device information permanently, and tell future Canadian healthcare professionals that you have breast implants when relevant.

Keeping your exact implant information makes future safety communications, recalls or revision discussions easier to interpret.

Seek urgent medical assessment for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden leg swelling, heavy bleeding, rapidly increasing breast swelling, severe worsening pain, fever, spreading redness, wound separation or unusual drainage. Follow the emergency instructions provided by your surgical team.

Breast Augmentation Recovery and Canada-to-Colombia Travel Planning

Your recovery timetable should determine your travel itinerary, not the other way around. Early postoperative assessment is particularly important for international patients because your operating surgeon may be thousands of kilometres away once you return home.

Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline in Colombia

Timeframe	Biological or Clinical Process	Patient Sensation	Activity Level	Action Required
First 24–48 hours	Early inflammatory healing and monitoring	Tightness, soreness and swelling	Rest with gentle movement as instructed	Remain close to medical support
Days 3–7	Early tissue repair continues	Tenderness and swelling may continue	Light activity if cleared	Attend postoperative review
Around week 1 onward	Incisions and deeper tissues continue healing	Comfort generally improves gradually	Some desk-based activity may become possible	Ask specifically about flight clearance
Weeks 2–6	Swelling decreases and tissues adapt	Breasts may still feel firm or unfamiliar	Gradual increase according to instructions	Avoid premature strenuous activity
Following months	Scar maturation and breast settling continue	Appearance becomes more stable	Progress toward normal activity when cleared	Continue long-term implant follow-up

These timeframes are educational rather than personalized medical clearance. Recovery can change with implant placement, additional surgery, health conditions and postoperative complications.

Canada-to-Colombia Breast Augmentation Planning Timeline

Stage	What to Arrange?
Before booking	Verify surgeon, facility, implant, quote and revision policy.
Several weeks before travel	Discuss travel health with an appropriate healthcare professional and complete requested evaluations.
Before departure from Canada	Confirm accommodation, transport, insurance limitations and postoperative support.
Arrival in Colombia	Complete in-person examination and confirm the final surgical plan.
After surgery	Remain close enough to attend required postoperative appointments.
Before flying home	Obtain surgeon clearance and collect your complete medical records.
After returning to Canada	Continue follow-up and seek medical assessment promptly if concerning symptoms develop.

Breast Augmentation Records to Bring Back to Canada

Operative report
Discharge summary
Implant identification card
Implant manufacturer and model information
Relevant laboratory or imaging reports
Postoperative instructions
Revision and implant warranty information
Emergency contact details for the Colombian surgical team

Travel Insurance and Breast Augmentation Aftercare for Canadians

Do not assume ordinary travel insurance covers complications related to planned elective surgery. Review exclusions and ask your insurer specifically about medical tourism before travelling.

Provincial and territorial coverage for healthcare outside Canada may also be limited. Your financial planning should therefore include the possibility of additional care.

Patient-first rule: If your budget only works when you take the earliest possible flight home, skip postoperative reviews or assume no complication will occur, the budget is not complete.

Colombia or Canada for Breast Augmentation? A Patient Decision Guide

Colombia can be worth considering when you have found a verifiable specialist, an appropriately registered surgical facility, a properly identified implant and an aftercare plan that remains workable once you return to Canada.

Canada may remain preferable when continuity of care, local follow-up or staying close to your normal healthcare network matters more to you than the potential price difference.

When Breast Augmentation in Colombia May Fit?

You have independently verified the surgeon.
The surgical facility is confirmed in REPS.
The exact implant is disclosed before surgery.
The total medical-travel budget is manageable.
You can remain long enough for postoperative care.
You have a realistic plan for follow-up in Canada.

When to Reconsider Breast Augmentation in Colombia?

The surgeon's credentials cannot be verified.
The operating facility is unclear.
You are pressured to pay before receiving medical details.
The implant brand or model is not disclosed.
No written complication or revision policy exists.
Your schedule forces an unusually early return home.
You have no plan for a complication after leaving Colombia.

Questions Canadians Should Answer Before Booking Breast Augmentation in Colombia

Can I verify my surgeon in ReTHUS?
Can I confirm appropriate plastic-surgery specialty training?
Is the exact operating facility listed in REPS?
What implant will be used, and can I verify it?
What exactly does my written quote include?
Who treats me if a complication occurs overnight?
How long should I stay in Colombia?
What happens if I need revision surgery?
What records will I receive before returning home?
Who will coordinate care if I experience a problem in Canada?

Takeaway: Remove the vacation photos and promotional package from the decision. What should remain is a qualified surgeon, verifiable facility, appropriate implant, informed consent, safe recovery plan and reliable follow-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does breast augmentation in Colombia cost for Canadians in 2026?

Current PlacidWay-listed examples are approximately $4,080–$4,200 USD. Your final price can change according to the implant, surgeon, anesthesia, facility, testing and surgical complexity. Flights, accommodation, additional recovery days, complications and future revision surgery may be separate.

Is breast augmentation cheaper in Colombia than in Canada?

Current comparisons show a substantial difference between an approximate $4,140 USD Colombia benchmark and an indicative Canadian benchmark near $9,000 USD. Your real savings may be smaller once travel, accommodation, insurance and possible postoperative care are included.

How can Canadians check whether a plastic surgery clinic in Colombia is licensed?

Verify the exact surgical provider and location through Colombia's REPS system. Confirm that the relevant healthcare services are enabled there. Do not rely solely on social media, testimonials, a clinic logo or a general statement that the facility is certified.

How can I verify a breast augmentation surgeon in Colombia?

Ask for the doctor's full legal name and check the professional through ReTHUS. Then verify appropriate postgraduate specialty training in plastic surgery. SCCP membership may provide an additional professional check but does not replace official registration verification.

Are breast implants regulated in Colombia?

Medical devices are overseen through INVIMA. Ask for the implant manufacturer, model, surface type and applicable regulatory information before surgery. Keep your implant identification card and complete device information after your procedure.

How long should a Canadian stay in Colombia after breast augmentation?

There is no universally appropriate departure date. Your operating surgeon should determine your stay according to your medical condition, procedure and early recovery. Your itinerary should provide enough time for required in-person postoperative assessments before flying home.

Can I fly back to Canada immediately after breast augmentation?

You should not schedule your return solely around airfare. Recent surgery and prolonged travel may increase certain medical risks, including blood clots. Your operating surgeon should assess your recovery and provide individual guidance about when you are fit to fly.

Can I return to work immediately after breast augmentation?

No. Swelling, tightness and soreness are expected during early healing. Some patients with desk-based work may return relatively soon if medically cleared, while physically demanding work normally requires a longer period. Follow your surgeon's individual restrictions.

Are breast implants permanent?

No. Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Some patients eventually require additional surgery because of rupture, capsular contracture, implant position, cosmetic changes or personal preference. Long-term monitoring should therefore be discussed before augmentation.

What is BIA-ALCL and should Canadian patients ask about it?

BIA-ALCL is a rare lymphoma that can develop in tissue around a breast implant rather than the breast tissue itself. Health Canada continues to monitor the condition. Ask your surgeon specifically about implant surface and current device-specific safety information.

Can breast augmentation affect mammograms or breastfeeding?

Breast implants can make mammography more technically challenging, although specialized imaging views can be used. Surgery may also affect nipple sensation or breastfeeding for some patients. Discuss future breast screening, pregnancy and breastfeeding before selecting your surgical plan.

Should I combine breast augmentation with a breast lift in Colombia?

A breast lift may be considered when an implant alone cannot adequately address significant sagging or nipple position. Combining procedures changes the scars, surgical plan, operating time and recovery. The recommendation should be based on your anatomy rather than package pricing.

What happens if I have a breast augmentation complication after returning to Canada?

This should be discussed before surgery. Ask who reviews your symptoms remotely, how quickly the Colombian surgeon responds, whether local assessment can be coordinated and which expenses are your responsibility. Keep your operative and implant records accessible in Canada.

What documents should I bring back to Canada after breast augmentation in Colombia?

Bring your operative report, discharge summary, implant identification card, manufacturer and model details, relevant tests, postoperative instructions, warranty information and emergency contact details. These records can help Canadian healthcare professionals provide appropriate follow-up if needed.

Compare Breast Augmentation Options in Colombia With PlacidWay

If you are considering Colombia from Canada, compare more than the procedure price. Review PlacidWay's breast augmentation in Colombia resource for additional information about treatment options, providers, costs and medical-travel considerations.

PlacidWay can also help you review available providers, understand treatment costs, prepare questions about surgeon and facility credentials and request information from clinics.

Request Information

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making medical decisions.