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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New Report From American Society Of Plastic Surgeons

New Report From American Society Of Plastic Surgeons

New Report From American Society Of Plastic SurgeonsThe latest report released by American Society of Plastic Surgeons contains comprehensive data about number of surgical and non-surgical operations carried out within United States. This data has been collected from more than 21,000 surveys carried out across the nation and contain data from multiple specialties like dermatology, cosmetic surgery and otolargyngology. Several startling facts have emerged from the latest report by the organization about growing acceptance of plastic surgery in today’s society.  The report divulges that more than 12 billion was spent by Americans on plastic surgery by people across different age and gender groups.

Aesthetic plastic surgeries in terms of popularity

The report shows that there has been a growth of 45 percent in demand for plastic surgeries by men and a large number of them are opting for smart young appearance to help in their career prospects. Men are more inclined towards non-invasive surgical plastic surgery methods to improve their appearance in West Hollywood. As aesthetically pleasing body shapes are more preferable in today’s society, both men and women are going in for artificial slimming procedures to loose fat like liposuction and tummy tucks which are among top five most preferred surgical procedures. Other cosmetic surgery methods in Beverly Hills to improve the size and shape of body by removing excess fat are buttock augmentation and labiaplasty which till recently were not consider popular. The recently published report of ASPS shows that the number of buttock augmentation procedures has increased by 58 percent within the last couple of years while labiaplasty has grown by 44 percent during the same period.

Plastic surgeries undertaken by women

A surprisingly large number of women underwent both invasive and non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures in 2014 of which the most preferred were breast augmentation, tummy tuck, coolsculpting,which is the process of freezing the fat , liposuction and eyelid surgery. According to data collected by RealSelf which regularly analyzes data on ASPS, there has been a year on year growth in the top five surgical procedures listed by ASPS. While the first two surgical methods of liposuction and breast augmentation have grown by 65 percent, other popular surgeries like tummy tuck and rhinoplasty have shown increase in demand by 45 percent. Consumer interest for cosmetic surgical procedures has more than doubled between 2012 and now in Los Angeles.

Cosmetic surgeries preferred for facial improvements

The technical advancements made in non-invasive procedures to removal facial imperfections has led to growth in them by 13 percent since 2013 and more than 9.5 million procedures were performed in 2014. If you are a resident of Los Angeles area, a quick visit to Dr. Gary Motykie will dispel all your fears about serum based injections that are ideal for removing deep wrinkles on the forehead and reducing other flaws. As a skilled cosmetic surgeon with years of practice in several surgical and non-surgical procedures, including coolsculpting, he knows which procedures will be best suited for your facial structure and skin type.

The nationwide figures which show that there has been a steady increase in plastic surgery procedures undertaken by men and women also signify that days of recession are over and people are willing to start spending on themselves.

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

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