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 a Chemical Peel Cost?

How Much Does a Chemical Peel Cost?How Much Does a Chemical Peel Cost?

Chemical peels are useful in treating the problems that are related to the outer layers of the skin. They are performed in cases where the conventional treatments are not enough to bring the desired results in solving the problems related to the skin. Even though considered to be expensive than the conventional cosmetic treatments, chemical peelings are not beyond the reach of normal people. Chemical peeling treatments offered in some good medical spas are inexpensive and are affordable by many people.

Recovery

Since the procedure involved in a chemical peeling involves very little invasive procedures, recovering from it very simple. People who undergo through the chemical peeling procedures should not wash their face for at least 5 to 6 six hours of the peel. The skin should not even be exposed to any direct sunlight for 4 hours once the procedure is completed.

Doctors’ advice that patients should not be driving to their homes on their own once the procedure is completed. It is better to wait in the Med Spa where the process is completed for some time after the completion of the procedure. Quick recovery from the chemical peeling procedure also requires that the people who undergo through the procedure do not indulge any physical activities that put a lot of strain on the body like jogging and swimming for at least 48 hours after the completion of the procedure.

Cost of a med spa treatment

How Much Does a Chemical Peel Cost?

There are different kinds of chemical peels available in the market like TCA Peels, Salicylic Acid Peels, Enhanced Jessner peels. The need for these chemical peels keeps varying from one person to the other and from one medical spa to the other. When compared with expensive hospitals and luxury spas located in expensive hotels, normal medical spas located which are now found in most big cities across the country offer the services for a cheaper price.

Medical spas are generally run by dermatologists who have rich experience in conducing such procedures and are manned by experienced junior doctors and other staff of the spas. The network of Med Spas run by Dr. Gary Motykie in places like Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles provide cost effective chemical peeling facilities for customers from all walks of life. All the spas are well maintained and run by people who are well experienced in running a medical spa.

Since the procedure of chemical peels involves dealing with the inner layers of the skin, expert supervision of the procedure is recommended. Proper advice and suggestions from the experts are also needed before the procedure is conducted and after the procedure is completed. Suggestions from the doctors regarding the conduct of chemical peels involves the determination of the depth of the peel, other drugs and medical treatments that need to be halted while performing the procedure, and the way in which the possible side effects resulting from the procedure can be dealt with.

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

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