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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More Men Are Getting Plastic Surgery

 

More Men Are Getting Plastic SurgeryConversations around body image and physical aesthetic have traditionally involved women. However, a new American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) study indicates that now even males are actively participating in this discussion on undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures to enhance their appearance.

Successful board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides a wide range of aesthetic surgical and non-surgical procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

 

Men are Increasingly Seeking Plastic Surgery

Men are seeking advice from plastic surgeons to enhance their appearance and boost their self-image. This can be ascertained from the fact that in 2017, men received more than 1.3 million cosmetic procedures.

An increasing number of men are seeking plastic surgeons to have honest discussions on their cosmetic concerns and areas of insecurities.

Surgeons report that they often notice relief on the patient’s face when they explain the multiple surgical and nonsurgical procedures that are available to them to alleviate their aesthetic concerns. Many men feel less self-conscious about their appearance with a cosmetic surgery procedure on a single body area that they are unhappy about.

Some surgeons witness a number of younger men who are seeking procedures for body contouring. Statistics indicate that cosmetic procedures such as abdominoplasty surgery (up 12 percent) and liposuction (up 23 percent) are becoming increasingly sought-after by men in the past five years. During this period, there has also been a 30 percent increase in male breast reduction surgeries.

 

Case Study

A 20-year old male patient found it impossible to eliminate stubborn fatty deposits in the chest region following substantial weight gain due to his asthma medication.

The cosmetic surgeon diagnosed the patient with gynecomastia, which involves swelling of the male breast tissue due to hormonal fluctuations. The patient received male breast reduction surgery to remove the fat deposits.

The surgeon attests to a dramatic improvement in the patient’s self-confidence along with high satisfaction levels after the procedure. The patient felt more confident and was motivated to exercise regularly and manage his long-term weight loss. According to the patient, his weight-loss initiatives would not have been likely without plastic surgery to kick-start the process.

 

Older Men Choose Less Invasive Procedures

Younger men are more interested in cosmetic procedures for their bodies while older men prefer less invasive procedures to mitigate aging signs. Over 100,000 men received dermal filler injections in the year 2017 which is almost twice the number of men who received these in 2000. In the same period, Botox popularity has gone up four times in men.

“Executive edge” is the term men used for wanting to appear more youthful to compete with the younger generation of employees at their workplace. Dr. Jeffrey Janis, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), elaborates that usually, men seek cosmetic procedures to appear as young as they feel from within. An expert plastic surgeon can assist them in achieving this goal.

Moreover, Dr. Janis emphasizes the importance of identifying a well-qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to ensure safety protocols and ethical practices. In addition, the surgeon should be able to provide patients with various treatment options to address the unique needs of every patient.

Dependable plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and other cities and suburbs in this area of the state for aesthetic procedures.

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More Men Are Getting Plastic Surgery

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