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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Liposuction Surgery and Other Alternatives for Reducing Fat

 

Liposuction Surgery and Other Alternatives for Reducing FatLiposuction currently ranks as the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the US. Innovations in liposuction techniques have made the procedure less invasive, encouraging many more people to seek this surgery. At the same time, a powerful non-surgical fat reduction procedure called CoolSculpting serves as an effective alternative to liposuction.

Dr. Gary Motykie is a leading cosmetic surgeon providing a range of liposuction techniques as well as non-invasive CoolSculpting procedure to help patients get rid of unwanted fat pockets. Dr. Motykie provides these procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

 

Liposuction Variants

The original liposuction plastic surgery technique was developed more than three decades ago. But in recent years, a range of less invasive variants of liposuction have gained popularity due to the introduction of technologies such as lasers and ultrasound in surgical procedures.

 

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction has emerged as one of the most widely used techniques to perform targeted fat reduction. The procedure is designed to be less invasive and can be performed only using local anesthesia. The cosmetic surgeon will inject liberal volumes of lidocaine and epinephrine into the fatty tissues, which will numb the local area and minimize the risk of bleeding and bruising. Thereafter, the surgeon can easily remove the unwanted fat tissue.

 

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

This technique involves the use of ultrasound energy to liquefy stubborn fat tissue before it is suctioned out surgically. After the delivery of tumescent fluid into the targeted area, the surgeon will use a special ultrasound cannula to disintegrate the fat cells. This enables their removal in a less aggressive manner to restore a smoother and more even body contour.

 

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

A number of variants in this technique, such as Smart Lipo, Slim Lipo and Cool Lipo, are used to achieve fat reduction in specific area of the body in a less invasive manner. The technique involves the use of thermal energy that is generated through a specialized laser emitting cannula, which will melt the targeted fat tissue. This will enable the surgeon to remove the fat cells more easily and without causing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.

 

CoolSculpting

For individuals who want to achieve fat reduction without surgery, Dr. Motykie provides a proven and innovative non-invasive procedure called CoolSculpting. This FDA cleared procedure was developed by Harvard scientists, and it involves a revolutionary cooling process to freeze off the unwanted fat cells. Once the fat cells are frozen, they will gradually break down and get removed from the body in a natural metabolic process.

Over a period of few months, the patient will gain enhanced body contours in the treated areas. Results with CoolSculpting appear more natural and can be sustained for a long period of time with a regular diet and exercise regimen. CoolSculpting does not involve any significant discomfort for the patient and it completely avoids the use of any needles, cuts, or incisions. Patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive this procedure from Dr. Motykie.

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Liposuction Surgery and Other Alternatives for Reducing Fat

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

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