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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Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Plastic Surgery) Overview

 

Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Plastic Surgery) OverviewBlepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure to reduce the signs of aging from the eyelids. When the procedure is performed on upper eyelids, it is known as upper blepharoplasty. The procedure can significantly improve the appearance of tired-looking and droopy upper eyelids. The surgery involves removal of excess skin and redistribution or reduction of fat pockets from the upper eyelids.

In some cases, the cosmetic surgeon may recommend upper blepharoplasty in combination with brow lift surgery or dermal filler injectable treatment to achieve more uniform outcomes. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides upper blepharoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

 

Candidacy

In case of upper eyelid plastic surgery, patients with one or more of the following conditions will usually make suitable and concrete candidates:

  • Puffy upper eyelids
  • Older and tired looking eyes
  • Excess upper eyelid skin that may be causing partial vision obstruction
  • Excess fat deposits in upper eyelids

For upper blepharoplasty, the candidate should be at least 18 years of age, but most people are above the age of 30 or 35 who seek this procedure.

 

Procedure

The cosmetic surgeon will perform upper eyelid lift surgery to reduce excess fatty tissue and loose skin that is giving an appearance of inflated, droopy eyelids. These conditions of excess fat and skin and drooping of eyelids can occur due to aging, sun exposure and other causes, but the effects can be reversed with upper eyelid surgery and more youthful looking eye appearance can be restored.

The surgeon will place small incisions along the natural creases of the upper lids to ensure that any resulting scars remain discreet. Through the incisions, the surgeon will remove excess fat and trim away excess skin that may be causing vision obstruction or contributing to older, tired looking eyes. If the underlying muscles are weak, these may be tightened and repositioned at the same time.

The remaining skin is gently lifted and re-attached to create smoother, more youthful looking upper lids. The incisions are then closed with fine sutures. An experienced surgeon will ensure that the surgery is performed in a subtle manner and no overcorrection takes place so that any unnatural ‘permanently awake’ look can be avoided. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for upper blepharoplasty.

 

Functional Benefits

In addition to the primary aesthetic benefits that will result from upper blepharoplasty, many patients can also gain in terms of functional benefits. The procedure can restore peripheral vision that may have been obscured due to droopy upper eyelids. Patients who seek this procedure specifically for functional needs may also get the benefit of insurance coverage.

 

Recovery

Upper blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery, but some post-operative pain and discomfort may be experienced in the first two to three days. Mild swelling in the incision sites can be addressed with cold compresses or iced eye pads. Most patients can return to their normal routine in about one week.

 

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Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid 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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