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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Breast Implant Removal After Rupture / Capsular Contracture

Breast Implant Removal After Rupture / Capsular ContractureExplantation or breast implant removal cosmetic surgery may sometimes be necessary for medical or personal reasons. Implant rupture and capsular contracture are two of key complications that could necessitate this procedure. In some cases, the woman may have a change of aesthetic preferences, and may want to either remove implants or replace them with new implants of a different quality, size, or shape. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities. 

Procedure

Breast implant removal surgery is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia, but in a few cases local anesthesia and sedation may suffice (if the deflated saline implants have to be removed). Following anesthesia, the surgeon will create new incisions along the original incision site to minimize scarring. 

If the original incision site is inappropriate, the surgeon will choose another discreet location beneath the breast crease or around the areola. Through the incisions, the surgeon will remove the implant, and possibly the capsular tissue along with any silicone leakage debris. Implant removal may be performed using en bloc capsulectomy in certain cases where the implant along with the capsule must be removed together as one unit. 

Breast lift surgery is usually required along with implant removal because the breast tissue may have sagged or stretched over the years following primary breast augmentation plastic surgery. Breast lift will restore a firmer and more youthful look of the breasts and may also involve repositioning or resizing of the areolas. 

Advantages 

Benefits of breast implant removal can vary from one patient to another, depending on their reason to have the implants removed, their health history, and other factors. Patients for whom breast implant removal is a medical necessity will usually have significant reasons such as elimination of pain and discomfort, avoiding the risk of breast implant illness, improving self-confidence, or a combination of two or more reasons. 

Pain relief is a major benefit for some patients, particularly if their heavier and larger implants have been causing neck, back and shoulder pain or discomfort. Capsular contracture could also cause pain and tightness in the breast tissue. These problems will be eliminated once the implants are removed. If the implants are causing a hindrance in mammograms for some women, they may want to have them removed. 

Personal Decision

Going ahead with breast implant removal is ultimately the patient’s personal decision. You should evaluate all your options, discuss the risks and benefits with your surgeon, and make an informed choice following a thorough consultation process. 

For breast implant removal surgery, the key to success lies in choosing the right surgeon who has the necessary skills and experience to perform this procedure in a safe and predictable manner. A board certified plastic surgeon certified by the ABPS could be your best choice. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast implant removal surgery.

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