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 Before and After Photos

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Before and After PhotosAbdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to restore a tighter, firmer abdomen by removing excess skin and repositioning loose abdominal muscles. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of tummy tuck, and may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs before the patient.

The surgeon’s first priority will be to ensure that the patient fully understands the potential effectiveness of tummy tuck and makes a well-considered decision. Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.   

 

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Pictures?

Before and after pictures in case of tummy tuck plastic surgery refer to a pair or group of images pertaining to an earlier patient who has undergone the same surgery with a successful outcome. The images include pictures taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the post-operative swelling and bruising has been resolved and full effects of tummy tuck are established.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the photographs are obtained with the patient’s prior consent, and shown to new patients in a discreet manner. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as required. The surgeon’s goal in this exercise is to educate new patients about various aspects of tummy tuck surgery and enable them to make an informed choice.

Website photos will be mentioned again in this page but what should be pointed out is the advent of digital technology. Digital technology has enabled people to see things quickly and sharply and for a nominal price. There is not one industry in the world that has not been affected by digital technology and the plastic surgery community has jumped on this development along time ago.

Now patients can see in vivid detail what a tummy truck procedure will look on them from the tranquility of their own home. They do not have to rely on picture books, long explanations from the surgeon, or brochures that leave so much to doubt and a large unknown. Digital pictures are a game changer and many people now know what they are signing up for.

 

Benefits

Tummy tuck is a major body contouring surgery procedure, and the decision to choose such a surgery is never an easy one. A new patient would like to be sure of how their abdominal profile will improve with this surgery, and whether it will meet their overall aesthetic needs and goals.

Some patients may need only a limited improvement in the lower abdomen, requiring only partial tummy tuck, while some others may need a full circumferential tummy tuck. In all such cases, the patient is better placed to make the right choices when they have access to tummy tuck before and after photos.

 

Having Realistic Expectations

Most satisfying results in a procedure such as tummy tuck are achieved when the patient has a positive state of mind, clear cosmetic goals, and realistic expectations. Therefore, an experienced cosmetic surgeon will usually prefer to show tummy tuck before and after photos at the very first appointment. After reviewing these photos, the patient will know what the procedure can or cannot do for them.

This mitigates the risk of any disappointment occurring for the patient at a later stage when it may be too late to reverse the corrections. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

 

Photos on the Web

The plastic surgeon will have the option to provide tummy tuck before and after photos in a separate Photo Gallery section on their practice website. If the surgeon is active over social media, they may also consider providing these photos via popular photo sharing social networks such as Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

 

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos

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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