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 reconstruction is a plastic surgery procedure to restore the size and shape of the breasts after the patient has gone through a single or double mastectomy due to cancer, or suffered the loss of breast tissue due to an How much does Breast reconstruction plastic surgery cost?injury. Breast reconstruction surgery can be undertaken at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later stage.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient on various aspects of breast reconstruction and provide an estimate of the procedure costs.

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Factors Affecting the Sticker Price

Various factors can impact breast reconstruction surgery costs. The price tag can differ between two practices and even between two patients at the same practice due to these factors.

Practice Location

The monetary amount of this procedure will usually be higher in metropolitan cities and main urban centers. On the other hand, smaller cities in interior regions may have lower surgery costs due to relatively lower overhead expenses.

Surgeon’s Fee

A highly experienced surgeon with excellent credentials may charge more in comparison to a newer surgeon working under a senior, more experienced surgeon.

Patients should ideally select surgeons with board certification in plastic surgery due to their emphasis on high care standards, latest surgical techniques, and continuing education which assure patients of optimal results.

Surgical Facility Costs

The surgeon can perform the breast reconstruction surgery at a hospital, an accredited surgical facility, or a private suite.

This depends on whether the surgeon has operating privileges at a nearby hospital or surgical center. Certified surgical centers are a preferable venue due to their safety protocols being similar to hospitals. The patient should assess all monetary concerns and benefit related aspects to make a well-considered decision.

Surgical Technique

A breast reconstruction procedure usually involves the placement of implants. In some cases, the surgeon will use only fat transfer augmentation or flap technique. Sometimes both these techniques are used simultaneously to accomplish more desirable outcomes.

The costs will also depend on if the reconstruction surgery is performed at the time of the mastectomy or a later date.

Insurance

Breast reconstruction should be covered by the patient’s insurer, regardless of when the patient chooses to undergo this surgery after her lumpectomy or mastectomy. The coverage usually includes the surgeries required to make improvements in the reconstructed breast or to create symmetry between the breasts.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Right’s Act of 1998 stipulates that all group medical insurance plans covering mastectomy must also pay for prostheses and reconstructive procedures. This means that breast reconstruction surgery will typically be covered under the patient’s health insurance plan.

Financing

Professional medical care financing companies offer various competitive financing plans. For patients who do not have insurance coverage, these companies offer loans on low rates of interest. Patients may also consider other alternatives such as credit cards, private loans, and bank loans. Patients who do not have insurance should consider these alternatives.

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How much does Breast reconstruction plastic surgery cost?

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