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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What are the pros and cons of breast lift surgery with implants? 

Breast lift surgery with implants

What are the pros and cons of breast lift surgery with implants? Women who are in need of a comprehensive breast appearance makeover may benefit from a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift surgeries. It is best to have these procedures performed together for several reasons.  

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will explain to you the pros and cons of a combined breast procedure to help you make a poignant decision. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast augmentation with lift to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities. 

Benefits of a Combined Surgery 

You can improve both size and shape of breasts  

Breast augmentation cosmetic surgery will add fullness to the upper pole of your breasts through placement of saline or silicone implants. If you are looking to enhance cleavage or correct asymmetry, it can be done with this procedure.  

In addition to more voluptuous looking breasts, if you need to elevate sagging breasts to a firmer, more youthful level, you can benefit from a breast lift. In other words, for a comprehensive cosmetic transformation of your breasts, a combined surgery will help rather than an individual breast implant or breast lift procedure.  

You only go through one preparation and recovery period 

Recovery is integral to any breast surgery procedure. When you combine breast augmentation with lift, you will go through a recovery phase only once. The recovery process would be quite similar to what you would go if you only chose a single procedure, whether breast lift or breast implants. 

Apart from saving time and hassle, you will also go through the temporary soreness, swelling and bruising only once with a combination surgery. Even the pre-operative preparation is vital for any major surgery.  

Focusing on your diet, avoiding certain medications and adjusting the schedule of ongoing prescription drugs, taking time off from work, hiring a caregiver if necessary, and preparing your home for recovery are some of the key elements of your preparation process. With breast augmentation with lift plastic surgery, you go through this process only once.  

More cost-effective  

It may appear counter-intuitive, but when you combine breast lift and breast augmentation as one procedure, you will pay for the surgeon’s fee, anesthesiologist’s fee, surgery room costs, and post-op care only once. Compared to that, if you go through breast lift and breast implant surgeries separately, you will end up repeating all these processes and costs twice.  

Limitations of a Combined Procedure  

Breast implants with lift is a relatively more invasive procedure compared to a single surgery. The surgery will take more time in the operating room because the surgeon will not only place the implants, but also reduce the excess breast skin and tighten the tissue. 

Depending on the surgical technique chosen, a combined procedure may involve slightly more scarring because of multiple incisions. Most importantly, you will only need to work with an experienced and highly skilled plastic surgeon who understands the intricacies of a combined procedure, and can minimize the incisions and risks. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast lift with implants surgery.  

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