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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Choosing The Best Plastic Surgeon to Remove Your Breast Implants

Choosing The Best Plastic Surgeon to Remove Your Breast ImplantsSelecting a plastic surgeon for your breast explant surgery is a decision that will have an effect on your life for years to come. A successful breast implant removal surgery will give significant benefits to you, as long as a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon performs it.

In the hands of a relatively inexperienced or less qualified surgeon, the possibility of poor results increases. This may lead to additional time, expense, and disappointment for the patient. 

Patients looking for breast explantation surgery should carefully identify a skilled cosmetic surgeon because working with an inexperienced or a lesser qualified surgeon could result in surgical complications, unwanted health and cosmetic problems and added expense related to revision surgeries.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and surrounding communities.

 

Vital Considerations

The patient should ideally make a list of all the questions that they may have in mind before looking for a suitable surgeon for their breast implant removal surgery. It is essential for the patient to identify a plastic surgeon with the precise credentials and experience, likely an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon. 

Stemming from this, the patient should also try to find a surgeon whose fees are within their budget. She should be comfortable with the personality of the surgeon and bedside manner. Does the patient want a surgeon with a friendly attitude, or someone with a more business-like approach to the plastic surgery process?

Will the cosmetic surgeon give her guidance on the most suitable techniques for her explant surgery or will they have a one-size-fits-all approach? To ensure that the patient choses the appropriate plastic surgeon, it is imperative to find answers to all these questions before the consultation. 

 

 What if the En bloc Removal Process is not Possible?

Make sure the cosmetic surgeon knows beforehand that if en bloc removal cannot be performed, you want your surgeon to take out as much of the scar tissue capsule as possible. Experienced en bloc surgeons will know how to remove your breast implants and scar capsule material with caution.

Unfortunately, not many surgeons have the experience needed for en bloc removal procedures. In case, you are unable to find a plastic surgeon who can efficiently carry out the en bloc removal, you should choose a surgeon who can carry out a total capsulectomy.

If you will be paying for the breast implant removal surgery yourself, remember that the key factor to consider is the skill and capability of the surgeon in carrying out en bloc removal. At times, women have traveled to expert plastic surgeons in different states, and yet spent lower than what their less experienced, local cosmetic surgeon may have charged. 

 

Your Final Decision

Once you have chosen an ABPS certified surgeon who has adequate experience in explantation, there are many questions you should ask to guarantee your surgeon understands your requirements. You should ask the surgeon how many total capsulectomy or en bloc or surgeries they have undertaken to get an idea of the expertise of the surgeon. 

You may also request to speak with one of your surgeon’s patients who has had en bloc explantation to know about her experience. Lastly, you may ask for breast implant removal before and after images of other patients. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas for breast implant removal. 

 

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Choosing The Best Plastic Surgeon to Remove Your Breast Implants

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