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 PhotosAccumulation of excess fat and loose skin in the abdominal area is a common concern for both women and men. This condition can be significantly improved with tummy tuck plastic surgery. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain all about the surgery, and may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs.

The surgeon’s first priority would be to educate the patient about the procedure and help them make an informed choice. Dr. Gary Motykie is a dedicated cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck and various other surgical and non-surgical procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas.

 

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Photographs?

Before and after photographs in case of tummy tuck plastic surgery refer to a pair or group of images belonging to an earlier patient who has undergone the same procedure with satisfactory results. The photographs include images taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the bruising and swelling in the incision areas has been resolved and full effects of tummy tuck are established.

The surgeon will take care to obtain these pictures with the express consent of the patient, and present them before new patients in an appropriate manner. The patient’s identity may be kept undisclosed. The only purpose of the surgeon behind this exercise is to use these photos as a visual tool to explain new patients about what the procedure can or cannot do for them.

 

Benefits

Tummy tuck is a major body contouring procedure that will have transformative impact on the patient’s overall body profile. It is natural for a new patient to be concerned about how they will appear after the surgery, whether the results will be natural looking or not, and whether tummy tuck is the right procedure to meet their cosmetic goals.

Some patients may only need a mini tummy tuck, while others may require a full abdominoplasty. Liposuction may or may be used in some cases. When the patient has access to tummy tuck before and after photos, they are in a position to make better decisions on these issues. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

 

Keeping Reasonable Expectations

An experienced surgeon will prefer to show tummy tuck before and after photos at the very outset. Their first concern is that the patient should form realistic expectations and know clearly about the potential effectiveness of the surgery before deciding to go ahead with it. As the patient goes through a number of tummy tuck photos, they will be in a better position to visualize the expected outcomes and make a well-considered decision.

 

Website Photos

The surgeon has the option to present tummy tuck before and after photos on their practice website for free access to all. Some surgeons who are active on social media may also use the opportunity to disseminate these pictures through photo sharing platforms such as Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Digital technology has benefited human kind on a scale that is unprecedented. Not too many other technological developments have had this type of effect on the course of human evolution. The plastic surgery community has certainly incorporated digital technology into their business plan. Now patients can see vivid pictures of possible procedures, tummy tuck being certainly one of them, without even making one phone call. This means the patient is more informed before they sign on the dotted line.

From the comfort of a patient’s home, you can determine if this is something you want to initiate. With what a patient sees on the website for a tummy tuck procedure, the patient can see fabulous pictures and be able to apply that to their own body without having to look at brochures and pictures in a book while sitting in an office with the surgeon and/or their clinic manager. Times have changed and in this regard it is for the better.

 

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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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