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

Hair Restoration Options in Beverly Hills

Hair Restoration Options in Beverly HillsHair loss and hair thinning are a widespread problem among men in various age groups, and even among women. While hair transplant surgery is a common way to address this challenge, many people look for less invasive alternatives in order to avoid a painful surgery. A number of innovative follicular unit extraction techniques are available today, but they are mostly still under development. In this situation, SmartGraft has emerged as a highly reliable and less invasive alternative for hair restoration.

Dr. Gary Motykie is a leading cosmetic surgeon providing state of the art aesthetic surgical and non-surgical procedures. Dr. Motykie is one of the early adopters of proven and advanced plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic technologies in order to deliver the best outcomes to his patients in a least invasive manner. He provides SmartGraft hair restoration to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Distinguishing Features

SmartGraft scores over various other hair restoration procedures in several ways:

  • SmartGraft technique is devised by established scientific professionals.
  • The procedure is completely non-surgical.
  • It can be performed in the office of the cosmetic surgeon.
  • The downtime involved is minimal.
  • Most patients do not experience any significant discomfort.
  • Hair re-growth is thicker and more natural looking.
  • Results are permanent.

 

Accuracy and Precision

Optimal and natural looking outcomes in a hair restoration procedure can be achieved when the technique involves maximum accuracy and precision. SmartGraft technique allows the hair restoration expert to extract, count and separate the hair grafts in a very gentle, yet precise manner. The selected grafts are preserved in an environmentally controlled container until the stage of implantation.

 

Complete Automation

Unlike traditional hair restoration techniques that involve manual effort, SmartGraft is a completely automated process. The SmartGraft system will sort, count, moisten and store the hair grafts without manual handling. As a result, the implantation can be completed faster and the procedure duration is reduced by about one-third.

Faster implantation process not only adds to the patient’s convenience, it also helps improve the success rates of the procedure. Thicker, more natural, and permanent hair re-growth is achieved with SmartGraft automated system. Dr. Motykie provides a wide range of plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures, including SmartGraft, to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas.

 

Procedure

The procedure will begin with the assistant staff shaving off a small portion of hair at the back of the head in a discreet way. Local anesthetic will be applied, and the provider will use the SmartGraft device in a gentle manner to remove grafts from the donor site. This will be followed by an automated process to collect, sort, count, and store the grafts in a sterile container.

After the storage is completed, the provider will prepare the implant area and use a local anesthetic for numbness. The provider will make tiny openings in the implant site to place the grafts. It will take about five to six hours in all to complete the procedure on an outpatient basis.

 

Click here for Virtual Consultation

Hair Restoration Options in Beverly Hills

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

Spread the love

Comments are closed.