Patient Resources

Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of any current medications, and any imaging you have (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) on disc or via a file transfer link. If you were referred by another physician, bring that referral paperwork as well. If you have not completed your new patient forms in advance, plan to arrive 20 minutes early to fill them out at the office. You can download the new patient packet ahead of time to save time at check-in. It also helps to write down your symptoms ahead of time, including when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily activities.

New patients are asked to complete a new patient packet before their first appointment. You can download the packet below, complete it, and email it to Paperwork@austinsportsmed.com for faster check-in. If you complete the forms before arriving, plan to arrive on time. If you have not filled them out in advance, plan to arrive 20 minutes early. If you are being seen for more than one injury or problem, complete the clinical information page for each one and write your name at the top of every page.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please call the office at least 24 hours in advance during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm). This allows us to offer your appointment to other patients. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a missed appointment fee. Call 512-450-1300 to reschedule and we will find a time that works for you.

Co-payments required by your insurance plan are collected at the time of your appointment. We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. For some services, advance payment may be requested. If you have questions about a billing statement, call 512-450-1300 extension 978.

You can eat, drink, and take your medications as normal before your scan. Plan to arrive 20 minutes early. You will be asked to remove all metal items (jewelry, watches, hairpins, eyeglasses, hearing aids), and no personal items are allowed in the scanning room — a locker will be provided. For shoulder, elbow, and wrist scans, wear a shirt with no metal snaps or buttons. MRIs typically take 15 to 20 minutes. If you have metal implants such as a pacemaker, aneurysm clips, or an insulin pump, notify Dr. Lackey's office before your appointment. If you are pregnant or think you may be, speak with your doctor before the scan. The MRI facility is located at 631 38th Street, Suite D, Austin, TX 78705. For MRI-specific questions, call 512-450-1300 extension 128.

MRI services are billed in two parts. Austin Sports Medicine bills for the technical component (the scan itself), and our partner ARA Diagnostic Imaging bills separately for the professional component (the radiologist's interpretation). This means you may receive two separate statements for the same appointment. Both will be filed to your insurance. Austin Sports Medicine will call you before your appointment to provide an estimated cost for the technical component, with payment due on the day of your scan. For the professional component, ARA is in-network with most major carriers. For self-pay or non-covered services, contact ARA directly at 512-519-3443 — they offer discounts and no-interest payment arrangements.

Yes. If your child is being seen as a patient, a parent or legal guardian must complete the Consent to Treat a Minor form before the appointment. You can download it below and bring the completed form with you, or email it in advance to Paperwork@austinsportsmed.com.

In most cases, no. Patients can schedule directly without a referral from their primary care physician. Some insurance plans do require a referral for specialist visits, so it is worth checking with your insurance before your appointment. If you are unsure, call our office at 512-450-1300 and we can help clarify.

Dr. Lackey is in-network with Aetna, Beech Street, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, First Care Health Plans, First Health, Galaxy Health Network, HealthSmart, Humana, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Multiplan, Oscar, PHCS, Rockport Healthcare Services, Seton, Texas Medical Management, Tricare, United Healthcare, USA Managed Care Organization, and Workers' Compensation. Please note that Dr. Lackey is not currently in-network with Medicaid or the MAP Program. If you do not see your plan listed or have questions about your specific coverage, call our office at 512-450-1300 and we will verify your benefits.

Austin Sports Medicine uses HealthMark Group to manage all medical record requests. Start by downloading and completing the Medical Records Release Authorization form below, then submit it through HealthMark. Records are typically available for download within 8 business hours, though some requests requiring physician approval can take up to 5 business days. For status updates on a request, contact HealthMark directly at Status@healthmark-group.com or 800-659-4035.

If you need FMLA forms completed following your surgery, email them directly to FMLA@austinsportsmed.com. There is a $15 fee for form completion, which is due before the form is submitted. Please allow adequate processing time and send forms as early as possible.

You can access your patient portal at any time through Athena Health. The portal allows you to view visit summaries, request prescription refills, send messages to our office, and review your medical records.

Most of Dr. Lackey's surgical procedures are performed at Central Park Surgery Center. If your surgery is scheduled there, you can complete pre-registration online ahead of your procedure date. Pre-registering in advance helps streamline check-in and ensures the surgical team has your information on file.

Most conditions are treated conservatively first, using a combination of splinting, therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or cortisone injections. Surgery becomes the right choice when conservative treatment has not provided adequate relief, when the condition is structural (such as a fracture or tendon laceration), or when waiting longer risks permanent damage. Dr. Lackey will walk you through the options specific to your diagnosis and will not recommend surgery unless it is genuinely the best path forward.

Recovery varies widely depending on the procedure. Minor surgeries like carpal tunnel release or trigger finger release often allow patients to return to light activity within a few days. More involved procedures, such as fracture repair, tendon reconstruction, or nerve surgery, can involve weeks of protection followed by months of therapy. Dr. Lackey will give you a realistic timeline specific to your procedure before you decide to move forward with surgery.

For many hand and wrist procedures, yes. Hand therapy with a certified hand therapist is often a critical part of recovery, particularly after tendon repairs, nerve surgery, fracture fixation, and joint procedures. Therapy helps restore range of motion, strength, and function. Dr. Lackey will let you know whether therapy is expected as part of your recovery plan, and our office can provide referrals to qualified hand therapists in the Austin area.

All hand surgeons begin as orthopedic (or plastic) surgeons and complete a full residency before pursuing additional specialty training. A hand surgeon has completed at least one additional year of fellowship training focused exclusively on the hand, wrist, and upper extremity. This means more experience with the specific anatomy, conditions, and surgical techniques involved in hand and wrist care. Dr. Lackey completed his fellowship at UC Irvine, one of the leading hand surgery programs in the country.

Fellowship training is a year of advanced, focused education that takes place after a surgeon completes their residency. For hand surgery, fellowship is where a surgeon develops deep expertise in the anatomy and conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow specifically. It is an additional credential that reflects a higher level of specialization. Fellowship programs are competitive and accredited, and the training is significantly more focused than general orthopedic residency.