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 to Choose The Best Breast Reconstruction Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reconstruction Plastic Surgery

How to Choose The Best Breast Reconstruction Plastic SurgeonA major surgical procedure such as breast reconstruction plastic surgery should only be performed by a judicious, devoted, and well-qualified surgeon.

Patients should carefully assess the surgeon’s credentials and qualifications before making a decision. In addition, they should set-up a pre-operative consultation with the surgeon to interact and understand more about them.

ABPS board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast reconstruction to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

Choosing an ABPS Board Certified Surgeon

The patient should make sure that the surgeon she chooses for breast reconstruction is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is a prestigious board of the American Board for Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABPS sets forth a strict set of criteria for surgeons seeking certification from this board.

The surgeons must have a degree from a renowned medical school in addition to five-year residency training. They should also have received specialized plastic surgery training and have an established record of following ethical practices.

A reconstructive or cosmetic surgeon may receive this certification only if their practice centers on plastic surgery.

Advanced Plastic Surgery Training

License to practice is held by many cosmetic surgeons. However, all of these surgeons may not have the best training to perform some of the plastic surgeries that they advertise.

The patient should ensure that the plastic surgeon she selects is fully trained and has the requisite past experience in performing breast reconstruction surgery with predictable results.

Characteristics of an Ideal Surgeon

In addition to evaluating the qualifications, experience, and training of the surgeon in the field of breast reconstruction, the patient should feel at ease engaging with the surgeon throughout the process of reconstruction. She should seek the following qualities in a surgeon:

  • The surgeon should answer any questions that the patient may have professionally and honestly. The patient should be able to communicate with the surgeon easily.
  • The surgeon should be concerned about the health, safety, and efficiency of the surgery while focusing on the cosmetic results of the reconstructive procedure.
  • The surgeon should motivate the patient to freely voice their concerns, aspirations, goals, and hopes regarding the reconstruction surgery and provide in-depth answers.

Combining the Principles of Science and Art

A breast reconstruction surgery restores the breast appearance as well as helps enhance the patient’s self-confidence. The surgeon’s goal should be to develop a new breast with an aesthetically appealing, proportion, and symmetry.

The availability of skin for the breast reconstruction may be limited. But the surgeon will use the most appropriate technique depending on the circumstances to make sure that they can offer the patient desirable and natural-looking results that enhance her figure.

Simultaneously, the breast surgeon should undertake the surgery in a conservative way in accordance with scientific principles. This will lead to results that are healthy, long-lasting, and desirable.

The surgeon can accomplish these objectives by combining principles of science and art offering dramatic and beautiful breast reconstruction results. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast reconstruction.

 

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How to Choose The Best Breast Reconstruction Plastic Surgeon

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

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