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

Seeking a Facelift Without Surgery

Seeking a Facelift Without Surgery

Seeking a Facelift Without SurgeryThe facelift is one of the most sought after plastic surgery procedures to reduce the signs of aging and restore a more youthful appearance of the face. However, some patients may not be prepared to undergo a surgery for an elective procedure, and may seek non-surgical alternatives to rejuvenate the face.

In such cases, the cosmetic surgeon may recommend various innovative and advanced non-surgical facelift treatment options. Board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Gary Motykie, provides both surgical and non-surgical treatments to his patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas.

Anti-Wrinkle Topical Treatments

Anti-wrinkle facelift creams and lotions are available over the counter, and may also be offered by a medical spa. These topical treatments include moisturizers that keep the tissue hydrated and help to keep the skin plump. As a result, the wrinkles and fine lines on the face can fade. A skin care expert can advise the most suitable topical treatments according to a patient’s skin type and condition of wrinkles.

Botox Injections

FDA approved Botox injectable treatment is probably the most popular non-surgical facelift option worldwide. It is based on a powerful biological agent called botulinum toxin that acts as a muscle immobilizer. A direct injectable delivery of this toxin into an overactive, wrinkle causing muscle can relax the muscle instantly, and lead to reduction or disappearance of wrinkle. The results of Botox treatment can last for about three to four months.

Thermage

Thermage skin tightening is an innovative skin collagen renewal procedure. Sagging facial skin can be tightened and youthful vigor of the face can be restored without surgery with this non-invasive facelift option.

Thermage employs a heat treatment to tighten the skin, promote the production of fresh collagen, and reduce the wrinkles. The treatment is based on radiofrequency energy. A medical spa may recommend a number of plastic surgery substitutes, including Thermage skin tightening, for patients who wish to avoid facelift surgery.

Laser Skin Tightening

Laser skin tightening is an effective non-surgical facelift solution, which involves low intensity laser light to stimulate the production of new collagen in the underlying layers of the skin. The treatment causes oxygenation and moisturizing of the skin to promote skin repair, firm up loose skin, and enhance the texture and appearance.

The treatment involves almost no downtime. Patients may have to undergo three treatment sessions on average to achieve optimal results. Dr. Motykie is a leading cosmetic surgeon providing laser skin tightening and other procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby locations.

Microcurrent Facelift

Microcurrent facelift, also known as Bio-ultimate procedure, is designed to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin in the skin via gentle electric currents. It promotes blood flow in the facial skin, causes re-hydration, and leads to firming up of the skin to reduce wrinkles and lines.

Non-surgical Microcurrent facelift can be performed to lift eyebrows and jowls, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, exfoliate the skin, and enhance muscle tone and skin texture in the face and neck.

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.