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

How to Choose The Best Liposuction Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills

How to Choose The Best Liposuction Plastic Surgeon in Beverly HillsAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon  Dr. Gary Motykie is an eminent leader in the area of plastic and cosmetic surgery. He is a RealSelf Top Doctor who enjoys the endorsement and trust of his patients.

The successful Dr. Motylie is a dedicated surgeon offering liposuction and other aesthetic and reconstructive procedures to his patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other communities and neighborhoods in this area of the state.

 

Professional Credentials

The diligent Dr. Motykie graduated with top academic honors and awards and subsequently acquired his degree in medicine at Northwestern University, and plastic surgery at the University of Texas. After that, he finished an Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Beverly Hills, California in the year 2004.

Almost half of Dr. Motykie’s practice comprises revision surgery cases from other practices which point towards his renown as a specialist in the area of complicated plastic surgery procedures. His motto is “doing it right the first time.” This philosophy enables him to enjoy very high rates of patient satisfaction.

Dr. Motykie has been featured in prestigious publications such as the New York Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal.

He has also appeared as a regular plastic surgeon on Celebrity Plastic Surgery, Dr. Phil, E! Channel’s Dr. 90201, EXTRA, ACCESS Hollywood, VH1, The Doctors, Marie Show, MTV, and Discovery Channel’s Plastic Surgery: Before & After. Furthermore, he is the founder member of a nonprofit organization called “The Healing Curve.”

 

Review the Surgeon’s Website before Deciding

Before visiting the surgeon for an initial consultation, patients should go over the surgeon’s plastic surgery website. This will offer them detailed information about the practice as well as the surgeon’s credentials and background.

Patients should openly ask questions regarding the surgeon’s qualifications and their practice during the pre-op consultation. A perspicacious and reliable surgeon will encourage patients to ask questions and voice their doubts and provide detailed answers and clarifications to them.

Patients should freely ask questions related to liposuction and determine whether the surgeon has adequate experience in performing such body contouring surgeries.

 

Why Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

The prestigious American Board of Medical Specialties only recognizes one board- The American Board of Plastic Surgery. This board follows vigorous selection criteria to award certifications.

When a patient chooses an ABPS certified plastic surgeon, they receive an automatic guarantee that the surgeon would have received at least three to five years of medical training, with a minimum two years exclusively dedicated to plastic surgery training.

In addition, plastic surgeons certified by the board usually pursue continual training to stay abreast with recent advancements in the area of plastic surgery. They also follow the latest safety protocols to offer their patients the safest and most predictable procedures.

 

Hospital Privileges

The patient should preferably seek a plastic surgeon with operating privileges at one or more local hospitals. In the exceptional case of an emergency, the patient will be guaranteed prompt access to a local hospital. Hospitals undertake in-depth background checks prior to awarding privileges.

 

This serves as an additional assurance to patients when selecting a plastic surgeon. Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other suburbs and towns in this section of the nation for liposuction.
Click here for Virtual Consultation

How to Choose The Best Liposuction Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Spread the love

Comments are closed.