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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Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?

Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?A person can appear tired, older, or angry due to the presence of wrinkles and aging lines between the brows and on the forehead. 

Brow lift plastic surgery is a safe, effective, and proven procedure to restore a smoother and more youthful brow appearance creating a rejuvenated looking upper face.

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will cautiously assess the patient as a candidate for brow lift surgery. While some patients may require both brow lift and eyelid lift, others may need only a non-surgical Botox procedure. 

The surgeon will provide suitable recommendations depending on the patient’s upper face anatomy and their unique aesthetic goals. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides brow lift (forehead lift) to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Good Candidates

A majority of people seeking brow lift cosmetic surgery are over the age of 40 years. The brow lines and eyelids usually start to sag and noticeable wrinkle being to appear along the forehead at this age. 

If the problem is hereditary, some people may experience these problems in their 20s and 30s as well. People considering brow lift plastic surgery should have reasonable expectations and understand clearly what the procedure can and cannot achieve. 

Initially, brow lift candidates often assume that they need eyelid lift surgery to improve sagging above the eyes. But a consultation with the plastic surgeon may help them realize that a brow lift could address such issues in a more effective manner. 

People with the below mentioned concerns typically make ideal candidates for brow lift surgery:

  • Sagging brows
  • Tired or angry appearance
  • Horizontal lines across the forehead
  • Deep furrows between the brows
  • Heavy upper lids

 

Having Forehead Lines 

Over time, wrinkles and lines on the forehead may occur due to repetitive expressions. A person may feel self-conscious because of the presence of these obvious signs of aging. 

These deep lines can be reduced with Botox or soft tissue fillers only for a temporary duration. In case the candidate wants a long-term solution for forehead lines and the lines that develop across the nose bridge, they may choose brow lift surgery.

 

Tired and Sad Appearance

The underlying muscles in the forehead may sag with age leading to a less alert appearance of the upper face. This will also cause the brows to droop. In a person wants their outer appearance to match the way they feel inside, they may be ideal candidates for a brow lift.

 

Other Requirements

The candidate should be in good overall health and have a positive mindset with clear cosmetic goals. They should not smoke or be willing to quit smoking for a specified duration before and after the brow lift procedure according to the surgeon’s guidelines. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for brow lift (forehead lift).

 

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