Sequoia Visions, Inc (www.sequoiavisions.com; 775-849-8400) has developed software that it claims will help PI attorneys maximize their settlements, and PI providers to get paid, based on a knowledge of Colossus "value drivers." At least one ProviderLAW subscriber has reported an immediate and impressive success using the software.

Colossus is an artificial intelligence program that some, if not many, liability carriers use to assign settlement values to injuries.

According to the Sequoia web site, "MEDICAL REPORT EXPERT" allows providers to track their patients' conditions and to report the information to attorneys in a "Colossus-friendly" manner using Colossus' own value drivers (e.g. the presence of muscle spasms). Using the same information, the "DEMAND EXPERT" enables attorneys to draft demand letters (i.e., initial offers) to liability carriers based on the information and value drivers entered into the Medical Report Expert.

According to Jim Mathis, a primary Sequoia principal, he himself was involved in the development of 3 systems similar to Colossus, and also of the intake sheets for Colossus and one other related insurance software system.

Sequoia Visions, Inc's web site claims that these programs will increase payments from liability payers by translating medical reports into a language that the Colossus computer program understands. According to Sequoia, the more value drivers that are present and properly coded in medical reports and demand letters, the more the liability carriers will offer as part of the settlement.

A ProviderLAW subscriber (an orthopaedic practice in Texas) who recently began using the software reported a rather stunning success is its first use of the program. After receiving a report and demand letter generated by the software, a liability carrier offered a settlement sufficient to enable the orthopaedic practice to be paid 100% of its full charges – the first time this has happened to this practice in 5 years!

Sequoia Visions, Inc currently charges $500 for the standard version of Medical Reports Expert or Demand Expert, and $800 for a version of Medical Reports Expert or Demand Expert that includes another related program, "Code Express Pro."

ProviderLAW intends to evaluate this software system in greater detail in the near future, however, we thought you might find this initial information helpful.

If you choose to purchase any of these programs, or have any experience using them, please feel free to give us your feedback. The orthopaedic practice mentioned previously did report that the initial implementation of the software required it to overhaul its intake process, which entailed a significant time investment on its part.

For more information, visit www.sequoiavisions.com. ProviderLAW will also keep you posted.