Notice of Data Incident
August 1, 2023

Dear Patients:
We post this Notice pursuant to the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) to inform you about a data incident involving an unauthorized release of patient Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as that is defined by HIPAA, at Gary Motykie, M.D., a Medical Corporation and Gary Motykie, M.D. (“Practice”), a covered entity under HIPAA.

PHI, as defined by HIPAA, is information that is “created, received, maintained, or transmitted by or on behalf of the health care component of the Covered Entity.” § 164.105 (a)(2)(i)(D). Information that is created or received by a Covered Entity and that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual is considered PHI. PHI is required to be protected when transmitted or maintained in any form by a Covered Entity. Individual identifiers (including but not limited to name, address, telephone number, fax, email address, social security number, medical record number, etc.) maintained in a designated record set along with health information (including but not limited to x-rays, images, scans, physician notes, diagnoses, treatment, eligibility approvals, claims, remittances, etc.) are collectively considered PHI.

Event Description:
On or about June 6, 2023, an initial technical analysis of the Practice’s information technology network determined an unauthorized release of PHI occurred to an unknown third party. The initial analysis determined that the unknown third party accessed the Practice’s network. It was further determined that the unknown third party acquired some of the Practice’s patient’s unencrypted PHI and that party was not authorized to do so and did so in an unlawful manner.

The information that may have been accessed or acquired during this unauthorized access included:

  • First and last name 
  • Social Security Number (if provided)
  • Address
  • Driver’s license or identification card number
  • Financial account or payment card number, in combination with any required CVV code
  • Intake forms, which may include medical information and history
  • Images taken in connection with the services rendered at our office
  • Health insurance information (if provided)
Steps Taken to Address:
Upon discovery, the Practice took the following immediate steps to address the situation:
  • Computers and servers replaced
  • Network passwords changed
  • Endpoint detection, virus, and malware detection tools and software installed on workstations and server
  • Limitations concerning Internet access
  • Access controls put in place for users based on role and responsibility
  • Server policies in place
  • Device locking mechanisms
  • Multi factor authentication enabled
  • Network segregation efforts
  • Encryption of devices
  • Additional workforce training
Risk Assessment:

The Practice conducted a risk assessment to evaluate the potential harm to potentially impacted individuals. Based on that assessment, it is determined that there is a high risk of harm. It is essential for potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant in monitoring their personal accounts and data and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement or their financial institutions.

Assistance and Resources:
Starting on or about June 22, 2023, letters were mailed to patients providing the following resources to assist the potentially impacted individuals, offering at no cost:
  • two (2) years of no cost Triple Bureau Credit Monitoring/Triple Bureau Credit Report/Triple Bureau Credit Score/Cyber Monitoring services.
  • the services also include reviewing whether Information appears on the dark web and alert the individual if such Information is found online.
  • proactive fraud assistance to help with any questions in event a potentially impacted persons becomes a victim of fraud.

Steps to Prevent Future Incidents: We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this Incident may cause. The Practice is taking numerous steps to help prevent similar Incidents in the future. We will continue to review and enhance our security measures, policies, and employee training.

If you failed to receive your letter in the mail, and/or if there is a concern your mailing address has changed since you were a patient at the Practice, please contact 1-800-405-6108 or call our office immediately at 310-246-2355 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

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Are you a good candidate for thigh lift surgery?

Thigh Lift Surgery

Are you a good candidate for thigh lift surgery?Upper legs are often one of the more troublesome areas from an aesthetic viewpoint, especially for women. With age, the skin in the thigh region may become loose and stubborn cellulite and fat pockets may develop, making your lower body appear heavier and older in proportion to your upper body.

If you feel self-conscious about your thigh appearance or avoid wearing tight fitting or short clothes because you don’t want your thighs to attract attention, you could benefit from a thigh lift cosmetic surgery. Thighplasty or a thigh lift is a time-tested procedure that has helped thousands of women and also some men get rid of excess skin tissue and fatty deposits in the upper legs and restore a more refined and toned lower body appearance.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides thigh lift surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

Who is a Suitable Candidate?

A thigh lift is an excellent choice for people who want to achieve a trimmer and more proportionate look in their lower body. However, not everyone may be a candidate for this plastic surgery. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will carefully evaluate several aspects to determine whether you qualify for a thigh lift. In general, you may be best suited to receive a thigh lift surgery if:

  • You are bothered by the appearance excess soft tissue and loose skin along your thighs. If your thigh condition has proved resistant to diet and exercise, then a thigh lift surgery may be an ideal option for you.
  • You have a stable and moderate body weight and do not plan to undergo a weight loss program in the foreseeable future. Losing further weight after your thigh lift can cause the skin tissue in the thighs to sag once again, reversing the benefits of surgery.
  • You are in good health condition, and do not suffer from any such active illness that may interfere with your surgery or recovery. You should also be cleared for general anesthesia, if your thigh lift will involve this procedure.
  • You should be willing to stop smoking for at least a few weeks before and after your thigh lift plastic surgery as directed by your surgeon. Nicotine in the cigarette smoke can increase your risk of surgery and also delay the post-op recovery process.
  • You are in decent emotional and psychological health. All cosmetic surgery procedures can take some toll on you physically and emotionally, and you should have a positive mindset and mental resilience to undergo the procedure successfully.
  • You have realistic expectations from the results, and are well aware what a thigh lift can or cannot do for you. You should also be committed to maintaining a balanced diet and active lifestyle post-surgery and be aware that a surgery is not a substitute for these efforts.

Your plastic surgeon will take into account various factors to determine whether a thigh lift is the right procedure to meet your goals. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles, and nearby areas for thigh lift surgery.

Contact Beverly Hills Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie to Schedule a Consultation

Click Here for Virtual Consultation

Click Here to Schedule a In Office Consultation

To see more services and treatments provided by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles | West Hollywood, CA and his team please visit:

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