Top Medical Billing & Coding Careers in Jacksonville, FL: Unlock Your Healthcare Job Opportunities
Jacksonville, Florida is a growing hub for healthcare-home to major hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers. If you’re exploring healthcare careers that combine analytical thinking with administrative precision, medical billing and coding offers strong entry points and clear paths to advancement. This guide highlights the best medical billing and coding careers in Jacksonville, FL, the certifications that employers value, local training options, salary expectations, and practical steps to break into the field.
Why Jacksonville is a strong fit for medical billing & coding careers
- Robust healthcare ecosystem: Jacksonville hosts large health systems, community hospitals, specialty clinics, and private practices that rely on accurate coding and efficient revenue cycle management.
- Growing demand for skilled billers and coders: With changes in payer policies, HIPAA compliance, and evolving ICD-10-CM/PCS guidelines, qualified professionals are in steady demand.
- Local training and flexible pathways: Jacksonville offers a mix of community college programs, university continuing education, and online courses that fit busy schedules.
- Remote opportunities with local employers: Many Jacksonville-based practices and health systems support remote medical billing and coding roles, expanding options for work-life balance.
Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your credentials, Jacksonville provides a practical launching pad for a rewarding career in medical billing and coding.
Top Careers in Jacksonville: Medical Billing & Coding Roles
Below are the most common and practically impactful roles in the Jacksonville market. Each role includes typical duties, common certifications, and what you can expect in terms of salary and growth.
1) Medical Billing Specialist
A Medical Billing Specialist manages the financial side of patient care, translating services into bills and ensuring timely payment from insurers and patients.
Prepare and submit claims, follow up on denials, verify patient eligibility, code for basic billing where needed, and maintain payer communications. Approximately $40,000-$55,000 per year, depending on setting and experiance.
2) Medical Coder (CPC/CCS)
Medical Coders translate clinical documentation into standardized codes used for billing and analytics. They are central to revenue integrity and compliance.
Review medical records, assign ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS codes, ensure specificity, audit for accuracy, and resolve coding questions with clinicians. Roughly $45,000-$65,000 per year, with higher pay at larger health systems or for experienced coders in specialty areas.
3) Health Facts Technician / HIM Specialist
Health Information Management (HIM) specialists oversee patient records, ensure data quality, and support privacy and compliance programs.
Manage electronic health records (EHR), organize medical records, support data extraction for coding audits, and enforce HIPAA and compliance standards. About $46,000-$60,000 per year, depending on responsibilities and seniority. Steady demand as facilities modernize documentation workflows and pursue data-driven quality initiatives.
4) Revenue Cycle Analyst
Revenue Cycle Analysts monitor and optimize the entire billing process, from charge capture to payment posting, denial management, and financial reporting.
Analyze performance metrics, identify bottlenecks, implement process improvements, coordinate with coding and billing teams, and ensure clean claims. Typically $60,000-$75,000; higher with advanced analytics training and leadership responsibilities. High demand in larger health systems and revenue-cycle outsourcing firms as practices seek efficiency gains.
5) Coding Auditor / Compliance Specialist
Coding auditors review coding accuracy, audit results, and compliance with coding guidelines to reduce risk and improve reimbursement.
Conduct coding audits,educate clinicians and coders,ensure coding integrity,and maintain audit documentation. About $55,000-$75,000 depending on scope and organization size. Growing role as payers and regulators emphasize accuracy and accountability.
Career Snapshot: Jacksonville Market at a Glance
To help you compare roles quickly, hear is a concise snapshot of core differences in responsibilities, certifications, and salary ranges. This table uses WordPress-friendly styling for easy integration.
| Career | Core Duties | Key Certifications | Salary Range (Jacksonville, est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Billing Specialist | Claims submission, denial follow-up, eligibility checks | CMBS, CPC, CPB beneficial | $40k-$55k |
| Medical Coder (CPC/CCS) | Code assignment (ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT/HCPCS) | CPC or CCS (AHIMA or AAPC) | $45k-$65k |
| Health Information Tech / HIM | Record management, data quality, privacy/compliance support | RHIA or RHIT; coding credentials helpful | $46k-$60k |
| Revenue Cycle Analyst | analyze metrics, optimize processes, support claims lifecycle | CPC/CCS; analytics experience | $60k-$75k |
Training & Pathways in Jacksonville
Getting started in Jacksonville is accessible through a mix of local colleges, vocational schools, and online programs. Here are practical pathways commonly pursued by aspiring billers and coders.
Programs in medical billing and coding, health information management, or health information technology offered by institutions like Florida state or regional colleges. Look for certificates (short programs) or associate degrees (AA/AS) with a coding emphasis. Accredited online medical billing and coding programs provide flexible options for working students. Pair online coursework with local hands-on practice if possible. Seek internships through local hospitals, clinics, or billing firms to gain real-world experience with EHR systems, CPT/ICD-10 coding, and payer communications. CPC (AAPC), CCS or CCS-P (AHIMA), CCA (AHIMA), RHIA, RHIT. Begin with a foundational credential and advance to specialty or auditor certifications as you gain experience.
Practical Tips for Breaking Into Jacksonville’s Medical Billing & Coding Field
Practice CPT/ICD-10-CM coding, encounter with EHR systems, and denial management workflows. Many entry roles value accuracy and attention to detail above all. Start with CPC or RHIA/RHIT depending on your interest in coding vs. HIM. Consider a coding audit or specialty certificate as you advance. Join local AHIMA or AAPC chapters, attend meetups, and connect with Jacksonville-based health systems to learn about their preferred credentials and pathways. Highlight familiarity with payer guidelines & ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT coding, denial resolution, and HIPAA compliance; emphasize experience with specific EHRs if possible. Research typical Jacksonville ranges, know your certifications, and quantify your impact (denials reduced, claims posted per day, accuracy rates).
Case Studies & First-Hand Experiences
Case Study 1 – From Reception to Revenue: A beginner with a medical office background completed a 6-month certificate in medical billing in Jacksonville. Within a year, they progressed to a medical Billing Specialist role at a local clinic, helping reduce claim denials by 20% through better eligibility checks and payer follow-up.
Case Study 2 – Coding Career Growth: An online-certified coder moved to Jacksonville and earned CPC and CCS credentials. They landed a position as a Medical Coder in a hospital system and later transitioned to a Revenue Cycle Analyst role after adding basic data analytics training.
Real-world experiences show that a combination of formal credentials, hands-on practice, and local networking can accelerate your path in Jacksonville’s healthcare market.
Local Employers and Opportunities in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s healthcare landscape includes major hospital networks, outpatient clinics, and specialized groups. While opportunities evolve, look for roles in:
- Hospitals and medical centers with centralized billing departments
- Physician practice groups and multispecialty clinics
- Ambulatory surgery centers and urgent care networks
- Health information management vendors and revenue cycle management (RCM) firms
- Payer organizations and local health plans with coding audit teams
Notable employers often include large systems affiliated with UF Health, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic Florida-Jacksonville, and community hospital networks. Tailor your applications to the size and needs of each organization-for example, larger systems may emphasize RHIA/RHIT alongside CPC/CCS, while smaller clinics may prioritize hands-on billing experience and denials management.
How to Get Started in Jacksonville Today
- Choose a pathway: Decide whether you want to focus on coding, billing, or HIM data management. Your choice will guide which certifications to pursue first.
- Enroll in a Jacksonville-friendly program: Look for certificates or associate degrees in medical billing and coding, health information management, or health information technology offered by local colleges or reputable online programs.
- Study for and earn an entry-level credential: Start with CPC or RHIA/RHIT depending on your focus. Consider CCA or CCS as you advance.
- Build a practical portfolio: Include sample coded cases, claims processing examples, denial analysis, and quality improvement projects you’ve completed during training or internships.
- Apply strategically: Target clinics, hospitals, and RCM firms in Jacksonville; emphasize familiarity with ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, payer guidelines, EHRs, and compliance.
Frequently asked Questions
- Do I need a degree to start in medical billing and coding? Not always.Many entry-level roles accept a certificate or associate degree,combined with relevant certifications and hands-on training.
- Are remote medical billing and coding jobs common in Jacksonville? Yes, many employers offer hybrid or remote options, especially for experienced coders and analysts.
- Which certifications are most respected in jacksonville? CPC (AAPC) and CCS (AHIMA) are widely respected for coding; RHIA/RHIT are valued for HIM roles.
- What is a realistic first-year salary in Jacksonville? Entry-level salaries typically range from $40k to $55k, depending on role, certification level, and employer.
Conclusion: Launch Your Jacksonville Medical Billing & Coding Career
Jacksonville, FL offers a compelling ecosystem for medical billing and coding professionals who want stability, growth, and meaningful work in healthcare. By aligning your education with Jacksonville’s market needs-whether you pursue CPC, CCS, RHIA, or RHIT credentials-you can position yourself for roles that influence patient care and the financial health of health systems.Start with a clear plan: pick the pathway that excites you, enroll in a reputable program, earn recognized certifications, gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level roles, and actively network within the Jacksonville healthcare community. Your chance to unlock rewarding healthcare jobs in Jacksonville begins with the next step you take today.
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