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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Your Beverly Hill Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Plastic Surgeon

Your Beverly Hill Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Plastic Surgeon

Your Beverly Hill Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Plastic SurgeonOtoplasty, commonly known as ear reshaping surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to correct the shape, size, or protruding of ears to bring in the proportion with the rest of the face. The procedure is usually performed on children, but it may also be performed in adulthood. Candidates for otoplasty are individuals who are unhappy with the unsightly structure or shape of the ears, which may have occurred by birth or as a result of an injury.

Otoplasty should ideally be performed by a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon who understands facial anatomy in detail and has a successful track record of facial surgery procedures. Board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Gary Motykie, is a leading expert for otoplasty and other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas.

Stellar Candidates

Oversized ears or flapping ears on one or both sides of the face can be corrected effectively and permanently with otoplasty plastic surgery. The procedure may performed on children with poorly shaped ears, but terrific candidates will typically meet the following conditions:

  • The overall health of the candidate is concrete, and there are no signs of an untreated ear infection.
  • The child is at least five years of age, and stability of the ear cartilage has been achieved.
  • The child is capable of cooperating with the procedure and understanding the advice of the cosmetic surgeon.

Apart from small children, teens and adults also choose otoplasty in many cases. Such candidates should be non-smokers or ready to quit smoking several weeks in advance. As an experienced plastic surgeon for facial and other procedures, Dr. Motykie provides otoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Surgery

Otoplasty may be performed as an outpatient procedure in most cases. The surgeon may choose between general anesthesia or IV sedation as per the needs of the case. The surgeon will increase or build the anti-helical fold within the ear rim, in case there is a need to correct excessively protruding ears. At the same time, the deepest external ear concavity, which is the enlarged conchal cavity, will also be reduced.

Incisions will be placed behind the ears as far as possible to keep the scarring inconspicuous. However, if it is necessary to make an incision on the front side, the surgeon will make it within the ear folds to maintain discreetness. The newly shaped cartilage will be secured firmly in its position with internal, non-removable sutures.

External sutures will be used to close the incisions after the surgery is completed. The goal of the surgeon is to bring the ears in harmony with the rest of the facial features. An experienced surgeon will take care to avoid the unnatural looking ‘pinned back’ appearance of the ears.

Recovery

It will usually take about one week for the patient to recover well from the surgery. Pain medications can help to provide relief from the initial mild pain or discomfort. Bandages in the incision areas should be kept intact as per the surgeon’s advice until sufficient healing is achieved.

 

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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