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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Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) Overview

Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) OverviewArm lift surgery, clinically known as brachioplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to tighten and lift sagging skin on the upper arms and enhance the contours. The surgeon will remove excess skin and fat from the upper arm area to pull the skin taut and build new arm contours that complement with the rest of the body appearance.

Dr. Gary Motykie is a leading board certified plastic surgeon providing arm lift and other procedures of the breast, body, and face. As a well-known cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Types of Arm Lift

Arm lift plastic surgery can usually be performed using two different techniques called the upper arm lift and the mini or partial arm lift.

Arm Lift Gallery

Upper Arm Lift

In this case, the surgeon will remove loose skin that is sagging from the upper arm. Skin in the upper arms may typically sag due to the natural aging process or major weight loss. The procedure will begin with the surgeon placing an incision along the arm. The length and location of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed and the location of the skin flap.

In a standard procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will make the incision from the armpit to the elbow. The incision may be curved or Z-shaped to keep the scarring visibility minimal. Patients with substantial loss of skin elasticity in the upper arms may have to undergo an extended brachioplasty. In this case, the incision will begin from the armpit and run down along the side of the chest. The longer incision will enable the surgeon to remove a larger amount of skin.

Mini Arm Lift

If the patient only requires a minor revision of the upper arm skin, a mini arm lift may be performed. The procedure is not really different from a full upper arm lift, but the incision in this case is smaller. The incision will typically be placed in the armpit to ensure minimal scarring visibility. The surgeon will remove the loose skin and excess fat through the incision. Dr. Motykie provides arm lift surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas.

A mini arm lift surgery is generally recommend for patients who have gone through a moderate weight loss, or those who are bothered by the appearance of normal skin laxity in the upper arms due to aging. The results with mini arm lift are more subtle and natural looking.

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Recovery

Patients can expect to return to their workplace or resume other activities in about a week to 10 days. Heavy lift, running, and other vigorous exercises can be resumed in about four to six weeks.

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Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) Overview

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

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