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 Overview

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery OverviewTummy tuck, clinically called abdominoplasty, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to enhance abdominal contours and create a tighter, firmer and more youthful midsection. The procedure will involve the removal of excess skin and fat, and may also include tightening of underlying loose muscles in some cases.

Depending on the patient’s unique requirements, the surgeon will recommend the appropriate tummy tuck plastic surgery technique. The surgical plan will be prepared in close consultation with the patient. Dr. Gary Motykie is a board certified plastic surgeon providing tummy tuck and various other surgical and non-surgical procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Ideal Candidates

Any man or woman in reasonably sterling health, who is unhappy with the protruding or sagging abdomen and loose skin around the waist area, may be an appropriate candidate for abdominoplasty. The cosmetic surgeon will also like the candidates to have stable and moderate body weight, no pending plans for a pregnancy or major weight loss, and keep realistic expectations from the procedure.

 

Surgical Procedure

Patients will have a choice between mini and full tummy tuck plastic surgery, depending on their needs and goals.

 

Mini Tummy Tuck

This involves removal of loose skin from the lower abdomen, and in a few cases, the lower abdominal muscles may be tightened. The incision in this procedure is usually shorter along the lower abdomen, but this will depend on the extent of loose skin to be excised. The navel is not shifted in this procedure because the upper abdominal muscles and skin are not addressed.

Once the procedure is completed, the cosmetic surgeon will place dissolvable sutures below the skin. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck and various other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.

 

Full Tummy Tuck

This is a comprehensive procedure that addresses all three layers of the abdomen. These include removal of excess skin and stretch marks by direct excision, removal of excess fat through liposuction and tightening of weak abdominal muscles. The underlying abdominal muscles are pulled closer and repaired to a more natural anatomical position.

A second incision is placed around the navel to address excess skin and repair muscles of the upper abdominal area. Once the muscles are repaired, the surgeon will sculpt a natural looking belly button. A skillful surgeon will be able to create a realistic looking navel, which is critical because the belly button is often the only thing that is visible after a tummy tuck, while other incisions are hidden below the bikini line.

After the belly button has been appropriately created, the surgeon will remove any excess abdominal skin and close the incisions with absorbable sutures placed beneath the skin. Dr. Motykie often combines mini and full tummy tuck procedures with liposuction to create a well-contoured abdominal profile.

 

Recovery

Patients can usually return home the day after surgery, but Dr. Motykie encourages them to stay overnight in an outpatient recovery retreat to receive immediate post-op care and medications. Most patients can return to their normal routine in about 10 to 14 days after the surgery.

 

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Overview

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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