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

Your Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) Consultation

Your Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) ConsultationAn intricate plastic surgery procedure such as eyelid lift should start with a detailed consultation to ensure predictable and safe results.

The process of consultation will assist in the development of a roadmap for effective eyelid surgery. It will also help the surgeon design an individualized surgical plan as per the particular anatomical and aesthetic needs of the patient.

The patient should utilize the consultation process to ask questions and express any concerns that they may have regarding the procedure.

Furthermore, it is a chance for the surgeon and the patient to develop a good rapport with one another. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides eyelid surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Patient Education

A primary concern for the surgeon during the consultation process will be to inform the patient on various facets of eyelid lift plastic surgery and highlight the best available treatment alternatives and techniques. The patient should have a clear understanding of the potential risks and advantages of the surgery, the steps involved in the procedure, and get information on the approximate costs, financing, and insurance.

Cosmetic Goal Setting

During the consultation for eyelid surgery, one of the first things that the surgeon would like to understand is the reason why the patient wants to undergo this procedure. Once the surgeon understands what exactly about their eye appearance may be bothering the patient, they can incorporate the patient’s inputs into the customized surgical plan for an eyelid procedure.

The surgeon’s goal will be to perform a targeted surgery that is less invasive and yet meets the patient’s goals more effectively.

Developing Expectations

The surgeon will help the patient develop realistic expectations from the eyelid lift procedure. Some surgeons prefer to present eyelid surgery before and after images at the initial consultation.

The patient can carefully review the photos to get a fair idea of what the procedure can or cannot do for them. In some cases, the patient may combine eyelid lift with brow lift surgery to achieve their desired aesthetic goals and expectations.

Health Evaluation

The surgeon will assess the patient’s medical records and review their overall health condition. They will assess the patient’s eye structure, level of skin laxity in the upper and lower lids, the extent of depressions and dark circles below the eyelids, type of skin, and any symptoms of an untreated condition.

The patient should be completely honest with the surgeon regarding their smoking behaviors as well as prescription or non-prescription medications that they may be taking presently. They should tell the surgeon if they have received an eye procedure in the past such as LASIK surgery.

Pre- and Post-operative Care Guidelines

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will offer preparatory and post-operative recovery care guidelines to the patient. In case the patient smokes, the surgeon will ask them to quit smoking for at least a particular duration before and after the eyelid procedure. The surgeon may make adjustments to the schedule of some medications that the patient currently uses in consultation with the doctor.

Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and neighboring areas and cities in this region of The Golden State for blepharoplasty.

Click here for Virtual Consultation

Your Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) Consultation

Spread the love

Comments are closed.