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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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Costs

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery CostsTummy tuck or abdominoplasty is one of the major body contouring plastic surgery procedures. As the procedure is usually performed as an elective surgery without insurance coverage, cost becomes an important starting point for many patients.

Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie will discuss all aspects of tummy tuck during the initial consultation with the patient, including its estimated costs. Dr. Motykie provides tummy tuck and other procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Factors Affecting Your Checking Account

The sticker price of tummy tuck plastic surgery can vary from one practice to another and even from one patient to another at the same practice. The following factors will influence the actual cost of procedure:

 

Geographical Factors

Where the practice is located can make a significant difference to the costs of tummy tuck surgery. The average costs of most types of goods and services, including plastic surgery services, will usually be higher in prime urban centers, coastal regions and other major cities. On the other hand, a practice located in a smaller town in the interior regions may be able to offer slightly lower prices because the average cost of living is lower.

 

Surgeon’s Expertise

A cosmetic surgeon who is board certified and is considered an authority in the field of body contouring surgeries may usually charge a higher fee than another surgeon who is less trained or less experienced or working under the supervision of a senior surgeon. According to the ASPS, patients should choose the best surgeon for their needs, and factors such as the surgeon’s fee should be secondary to such a decision.

 

Anesthesia and Operating Facility Costs

Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia. If the anesthesia procedure is performed by a board certified anesthesiologist, their fee may be relatively higher than that of a registered anesthetist nurse. Furthermore, if the procedure is performed at a fully accredited (AAAASF) surgical facility or at a hospital, the costs will be higher as compared to a procedure performed at a private surgical suite.

 

Extent of Surgery

Some patients may only require mini abdominoplasty, which addresses only the lower abdominal region, the overall sticker price of the procedure may be less than a full tummy tuck surgery. If liposuction is combined with the procedure, it may also have an effect on the costs.

Following the surgery, many patients may prefer to stay for one or more nights at the recovery treat with 24×7 nursing care. This will marginally increase the costs but make the immediate post-operative period safer and easier. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

 

Financing Options

The patients should explore their financing options well in advance to make it easier to pay for the tummy tuck surgery. Specialized medical financing firms offer loans for cosmetic procedures, which makes the loan procedure quick and efficient. In some cases, very low or even zero interest rates may be charged for the first one or two years. The patient can repay the loan in convenient monthly installments of up to 60 months.

 

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Costs

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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