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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Brow Lift Surgery Procedure Steps

Brow Lift Surgery Procedure StepsBrow lift plastic surgery will reposition the brows and open the eye area to create a more alert, rejuvenated upper face appearance. 

The surgeon will explain the steps involved in the brow lift cosmetic surgery procedure at the time of the initial consultation. 

After the patient understands the procedure in detail, they will often feel more reassured as well as experience a reduction in pre-surgery anxiety. 

A well-qualified and experienced surgeon will use cutting-edge techniques to undertake the surgery in a minimally invasive manner. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides brow lift to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Pre-Operative Consultation 

An in-depth consultation process will be the initial step in a brow lift plastic surgery. The patient should be willing to engage closely with the surgeon during the consultation process as it will develop the foundation for safe and effective surgery. The patient should unhesitatingly ask questions and clarify any concerns that they may have at this stage.

The surgeon will evaluate the patient as a candidate for brow lift as well as discuss their incision preferences. They will evaluate the patient’s upper face structure, the level of skin laxity, and the condition of the eyelids. 

In addition, the surgeon will explain the advantages and limitations of the brow lift and enable the patient to make an enlightened choice.

 

Individualized Brow Lift Plan

The surgeon will develop a customized brow lift plastic surgery plan after assessing the patient’s unique forehead and eye structure and their personal aesthetic goals. The patient’s health condition and previous upper face procedure, if any, will be considered as well. 

The surgeon will try to make the brow lift surgery as less invasive as possible so that the patient experiences reduced risk, downtime, and discomfort. Additionally, they will discuss the anesthesia type to be used as well as the choice of surgical venue with the patient. 

 

Surgical Procedure 

Anesthesia 

A brow lift may be undertaken using local anesthesia with light sedation. The patient will not experience any sensation during the procedure and will not remember the procedure upon waking up. 

Surgery

After anesthesia, the surgeon will commence the brow lift procedure by placing tiny incisions in the hairline. This will help make sure that any future scarring remains inconspicuous. The surgeon will typically undertake an endoscopic brow lift, which is a less invasive technique. They will then insert a tiny camera or endoscope under the skin through the incision.

The camera will enable the surgeon to see the underlying structures of the brow on a monitor outside and make changes in a minimally invasive manner. 

They will use tiny and highly precise surgical tools to lift sagging forehead muscles and proceed to tighten these muscles that pull the brow in the downward direction. Unlike a facelift, there is no pulling of the skin. But the surgeon may remove excess skin if necessary. 

 

Incision Closure

After the procedure is complete, the surgeon will carefully seal the incisions with absorbable or removable sutures. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for brow lift. 

 

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Brow Lift Surgery Procedure Steps

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