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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How much does Blepharoplasty Plastic Surgery Cost?

How much does Blepharoplasty Plastic Surgery Cost?Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is typically an elective aesthetic surgical procedure. Therefore, its costs are not likely to be covered by the insurance provider. This makes cost a vital factor for many patients who may be considering this plastic surgery procedure. 

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will discuss the approximate costs with the patient. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides blepharoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Various factors influence the cost of upper and lower eyelid aesthetic surgery at a specific practice. If the practice is located in a large metropolitan city or major urban center, the costs will be higher in comparison to a practice located in a small town in the interior regions. This difference in costs is attributable to the variation in average cost of living in different areas.

Some other factors that impact the costs at different practices are individualized service, the standards of quality at a practice, and skills and qualifications of the staff.

The surgeon may perform blepharoplasty plastic surgery at a surgical center, hospital, or private surgical venue. The expenses and benefits related to each venue will vary. Another essential element of the costs is the surgeon’s fees which can differ as per the experience, skills, and specialization of the surgeon.  

Individual patients may need only lower or upper eyelid surgery while others may need both. Furthermore, some patients may require only a transconjunctival blepharoplasty which might cost slightly less.

Combined Procedures

The overall costs can increase if the patient chooses additional treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox, facial fat transfer, or brow lift along with the eyelid surgery. In some cases, blepharoplasty may be performed along with a traditional facelift surgery. The overall cost-effectiveness of the procedure will improve with a combined procedure, even though the cost in absolute terms will be higher.

Insurance Aspect

The eyelid surgical procedure is an elective surgery that is not usually covered by insurance. Notably, an exception to this case is if the patient has ptosis. This condition causes the upper lids to droop severely leading to obstructions in the vision. In such cases, the complete or partial monetary amount of the procedure may be covered by insurance.

The patient must discuss such cases with the surgeon and insurance company in advance. The administrative staff at the surgeon’s practice may provide assistance with the necessary paperwork for insurance.

Financing

The surgeon may be able to accept credit card payments for a surgery such as blepharoplasty.  The patient does have traditional financing alternatives such as bank credit. However, they should evaluate loans from specialized health care financing companies that work specifically in this field.

Such firms typically offer better interest rates, faster loan approvals, and convenient monthly installments spread over up to six months. Patients can also seek private loans from family and friends for the eyelid surgery procedure. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for eyelid surgery.

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How much does Blepharoplasty Plastic Surgery Cost?

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