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.

Blog

Breast Implants Overview

Breast Implants OverviewBreast implants plastic surgery ranks among the most sought after aesthetic procedures in the US today. Advanced surgical techniques and FDA approvals for highly cohesive implants have made the procedure both safer and more aesthetically appealing. Dr. Gary Motykie is a leading cosmetic surgeon providing this procedure to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby locations.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation or breast implant surgery is a procedure desigined to increase the size, volume, and fullness of breasts. It involves surgical placement of saline or silicone based implants in the breast tissue to make the breast size larger and more proportionate to the rest of the body. While in most cases, breast implant plastic surgery may be performed for aesthetic purposes, but in some cases, the surgeon may recommend it for women who have asymmetrical breasts or who have lost breast tissue following a mastectomy.

In some situations, the patient may not only need enlargement of breast size, but also lifting of heaving drooping breasts. The cosmetic surgeon may recommend breast augmentation in conjunction with breast lift surgery in such cases. Dr. Motykie will evaluate the patient’s breast anatomy and assess their innate aesthetic needs before suggesting the most appropriate treatment plan for his patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other areas.

Choice of Implants

One of the key decisions in breast augmentation surgery is to choose the most appropriate type and size of breast implants to meet the patient’s aesthetic goals. Both saline and silicone gel based implants have been approved by the FDA for women above the age of 18 and 21 respectively.

Dr. Motykie will engage with the patient closely during the initial consultation and explain them the pros and cons of both options to help her make an informed decision. The size of implants usually ranges from 120cc to 960cc, and the shape can be round or teardrop. Choices of size, shape, projection, and texture of implants will also impact the overall outcome of the breast augmentation procedure.

Surgical Procedure

The surgeon may decide to perform breast augmentation under general anesthesia or IV sedation and local anesthesia. The choice of implants, the type of incision, and the placement of implants in the breast tissue are decisions that will be taken at the stage of treatment planning, in consultation with the patient. The procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis, but a few patients may have to stay overnight depending on their condition.

The surgeon will begin the procedure by making a discreet incision underneath the breast crease, or encircling the areola. In some cases, the incision may also be made in the underarm or around the navel. Through the incision, the surgeon will sculpt a breast implant pocket to place the implant. Breast implant may be placed between the chest muscle and breast tissue or below the chest muscle. Following the adjustment of implant in its place, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures. The recovery period for most patients may range from one to two weeks.

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

Spread the love

Comments are closed.