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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Skin Rejuvenation for Ethnic Skin

Skin Rejuvenation for Ethnic SkinAlthough plastic surgery skin rejuvenation procedures are usually equally suitable for all skin types, but the same cannot be said about non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments. Particularly, in case of people with ethnic skin, they are often told that skin rejuvenation non-invasive treatments are not appropriate for them.

However, an experienced skin care expert will be able to recommend safe and effective skin rejuvenation non-surgical treatments for ethnic skin. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides skin rejuvenation treatments for ethnic patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Characteristics of Ethnic Skin

One of the key characteristics of people with ethnic skin, including Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans, is that their skin has a relatively higher concentration of melanocytes. This creates a higher production of melanin in their skin.

Therefore, if ethnic skin with higher melanin concentration is treated aggressively, it may lead to hyper or hypopigmentation. An experienced provider can offer appropriate plastic surgery and non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments that are safe and effective for ethnic skin.

Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis by Cutera is a non-ablative skin treatment that will reduce the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores, while stimulation the generation of new collagen and elastin fibers for smoother, volumized, and more youthful looking skin. Skin texture and tone will improve with each treatment. Laser Genesis treatment is appropriate for ethnic skin, and produces desirable outcomes with little to no discomfort or downtime.

Vi Peel

Aggressive skin rejuvenation procedures such as medium or deep chemical peels can induce higher melanin production, resulting in hyperpigmentation for people with ethnic skin. Therefore, chemical peels are usually contraindicated for Hispanics, Asians and African Americans. Vi Peel is specifically designed as a unique peel for ethnic skin. This medical grade peel uses a synergistic combination of ingredients to suppress melanin production, which makes it safe for ethnic skin.

eMatrix

For Caucasians, IPL, and Fraxel Laser are widely considered as the most effective non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatments. However, for people with skin type 4 or higher on the Fitzpatric scale, which includes African Americans, Hispanics and Asians, IPL and Fraxel may not be suitable. These treatments can result in hypo or hyperpigmentation for individuals with ethnic skin.

Leading skin care experts recommend eMatrix as a comprehensive skin rejuvenation procedure for people with ethnic skin. The eMatrix treatment is based on radio frequency (RF) energy, and not laser. The RF energy gently penetrates into the deeper skin layers to promote collagen and elastin production for natural and sustainable skin rejuvenation from within.

The eMatrix RF pulses penetrate wider and deeper than Fraxel Laser, leading to more effective results. The eMatrix treatment will utilize the body’s self-healing power to restore facial volume and firmness while smoothing skin texture.

The procedure involves virtually no downtime. The treated areas of the skin will appear reddish on the day of the treatment, but from the next day, patient can cover the effects with makeup. Maximum results will show up in four to six weeks, but improvement will continue to establish for up to a year.

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Skin Rejuvenation for Ethnic Skin

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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