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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Facelift Without Surgery: PDO Thread Lift

Facelift Without Surgery: PDO Thread LiftWhile many women and men seek to restore youthful contours of their face, they may be hesitant to undergo facelift cosmetic surgery or liposuction procedures. For such patients, the minimally invasive ‘lunchtime’ procedure, Nu-mesh PDO thread lift, may be an appropriate option. 

Nu-mesh PDO thread lift helps develop a revitalized, natural-looking neck, jawline, and face in a single in-office treatment completed within one hour. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides facelift without surgery (PDO thread lift) to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities. 

 

How does Nu-mesh PDO Thread Lift Work?

PDO thread lift procedure lifts sagging regions of skin on the face in a non-surgical manner. The procedure immediately tightens the tissue and simultaneously encourages the generation of collagen fibers in the deeper tissue layers for longer-lasting outcomes.

New collagen enhances skin volume over time. It lifts and tightens the skin for a tauter, more youthful-looking face and neck. Nu-mesh threads are medical-grade, dissolvable sutures comprising polydioxanone (PDO). These are delicately inserted into the sagging facial areas. 

A natural scaffolding of collagen is created in this process, enabling the patient to achieve firmer and more lifted face, neck, and jaw skin. The body will safely reabsorb the threads in nearly four to six months. However, the skin will appear rejuvenated and youthful for up to two years.

 

Procedure 

For the right candidate, skin firming with Nu-mesh PDO thread lift can be undertaken in almost any body area. However, the outcomes in the face and neck area are most dramatic with this procedure. 

In this procedure, the provider cautiously inserts the PDO thread needles into the targeted sites of the neck and face skin as a whole needle.

The needle reaches the interstitial tissue at a sub-dermal level in the neck and remains parallel to the superficial skin surface to produce an optimal effect. After this, the provider will gently pull the needle out, while the PDO thread remains beneath the skin. The body will slowly reabsorb the PDO suture.

Due to the absorption process, the skin’s internal repair mechanism will be triggered. This will lead to the production of new collagen over time. Consequently, the patient will experience a subtle lift in the treated areas, while the skin appears tauter and smoother. 

 

Advantages of PDO Thread Lift

The outcomes of the PDO thread lift procedure are almost immediate. The patient will notice firmer and lifted skin in the face and neck for at least one to two years. The outcomes continue to improve and appear more natural over time due to the production of new collagen fibers.

The procedure can be undertaken without any incisions and cuts and does not cause any scars or scar tissue. The duration of the procedure is under an hour, and there is little to no downtime involved. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for facelift without surgery (PDO thread lift).

 

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Facelift Without Surgery: PDO Thread Lift

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