This article walks through the case coding workflow in Practicode: how to open assigned cases, code them, submit, and review the answer key. If you have not yet watched the Practicode introduction training, start there before working through the steps below.

Before you start

• You need an active Practicode account with at least one active Job ID assigned to you. A Job ID is a batch of cases your admin or instructor has loaded into your Worklist.
• Have your code books or reference tools ready. Practicode does not provide code lookup from within the platform; there is a Codify link available, but you must have an active subscription for Codify.
• Plan to work in a single browser tab. Switching tabs or stepping away can affect the code assignment during submission, the case timer, and may sign you out due to inactivity.

Open a case

1. Go to the Worklist. This is the default landing page when you sign in.
2. Find the Job ID you want to work on. Click the number under the "Pending" column to open the case list for that Job.
3. Open the guidelines. The "Guidelines" link only appears once you have opened a case. Click it to open a pop-up explaining how to code the cases in this Job ID. You can keep the pop-up on a second monitor or in a separate window while you code.
4. Click a Case ID to open it. Opening a case starts the case timer. The code entry area appears with the medical record on one side and the code fields on the other.

Code the case

5. Read the documentation. Each case represents a real-world style record that has been de-identified. Code from what is documented, following official guidelines, and any Job-specific guidance in the pop-up.
6. Enter the primary diagnosis. Each case has only one primary diagnosis field. If no single code clearly fits as primary, pick one and put the rest in Secondary Diagnosis.
7. Enter codes by code or description. Type the code directly into the Code field, or type a term in the Description field to search. For example, typing "Hypertension" returns matches like "Essential (Primary) Hypertension." Press Tab to confirm the entry. To clear a selection, click the red icon on the right.
8. Add Secondary Diagnoses as needed. Use the green plus icon to add a code row. Use the red minus icon to remove a row.
9. Skip the decimal. Practicode adds the decimal point automatically. Type "e110" and the system formats it as E11.0.
10. Watch for invalid codes. If a code is not valid, the Description field shows "Invalid Code" and the row is highlighted in red. The system blocks submission for invalid codes and for code-age or code-sex mismatches. Resolve these before submitting.
11. Use the Coders Notes field for personal notes. This area is for notes to yourself or your instructor. It does not trigger follow-up from AAPC staff.
12. Submit the case. Click "Submit Case," then "Continue to Submit" to confirm.

If you need to switch cases mid-coding, click the "List" tab to return to the case list. The case timer keeps running on the open case until you open a different one or submit. To return to a case you were working on, click "Abstract."

Review your answers and the answer key

After submission, the Coder's Answers and Answer Key area shows your codes alongside the correct codes.

13. Reopen the medical record. Click "Medical Record" to view the documentation again. Click the "X" in the upper corner to close it.
14. Open the Calculator. The Calculator shows the number of codes in each section of the case. Scoring reflects whether you captured the expected codes per section, so this view helps you understand how the case was scored.
15. Read the rationale. Click the "Rationale" button next to a code in the Answer Key area to see why that code was assigned. This is the most useful step for learning from a missed code.
16. Use Post-Coded Notes for content questions to AAPC staff. This field is for questions about case content, the answer key, or the rationale that you want AAPC to follow up on by email. Do not use it for technical issues or platform problems.

Find your completed cases

17. From an open Job ID: click the number next to "Completed" to see cases you have already finished.
18. From the Worklist: change the filter from "Incomplete" to "Completed," then click "Submit" to see your finished Jobs.
19. View only the medical record and your codes: click the blue folder icon next to the case.
20. Leave a Job ID: click the "Worklist" menu button and confirm you want to exit.

Common issues

• The case timer kept running after I stopped working. The timer continues until you open a different case, submit the current case, or are signed out for inactivity. Closing the browser tab alone does not stop it. If you need to step away, submit or close the case first.
• My code shows as invalid, but I think it is correct. Confirm the code format (no decimal needed, correct number of characters) and that the code is active in the current code set. Practicode follows the official ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS October update cycle and the CPT and HCPCS Level II January cycle, so a code that was valid in a prior year may no longer be active.
• I cannot submit because of a code-age or code-sex mismatch. Review the case demographics and confirm the code applies to the patient. [VERIFY: confirm whether learners can override a demographic mismatch when documentation supports the code, or whether they must remove the flagged code to submit.]
• I was signed out mid-case. Practicode signs you out after a period of inactivity. Your entered codes are saved up to the last save point. Sign back in and reopen the case to continue.

Step-by-step guide

• Accessing and Completing Cases (Scribe walkthrough)