< Billing codes

Billing code

J333C — Non-specific Bronchial Provocation Test(histamine)

Bronchial provocation test

Bill J333 for a non-specific bronchial challenge using histamine, methacholine or thermal challenge.

Watch for: Outside a hospital only the professional component (suffix C) is billable; each coded test must be ordered individually.

ProviderSpecialistAssistantAnaesthetistNon-anaesthetist
$0.00$0.00$56.00$41.55$41.55
Code
J333C
Description
Non-specific Bronchial Provocation Test(histamine)
FHO+ basket
Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
Effective date
Apr 1, 2026
Termination date
No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Non-specific bronchial provocation test (histamine, methacholine or thermal challenge), with technical and professional components.

What it covers

J333 is a non-specific bronchial provocative test using histamine, methacholine or thermal challenge (H6).

An antigen challenge test is a separate code, J335 (H6).

Billing rules

  • Technical component (H, suffix B) is paid only at a hospital or a hospital's approved off-site premises; outside hospital only the professional component (P, suffix C) is billable (H1, H3).
  • Each test with its own code is specific and must be ordered individually (H3).
  • The interpretation must be done personally by the physician who claims the professional component; supervision and monitoring may be delegated to another physician (H1).
  • Not payable for routine pre-operative screening before non-thoracic surgery, unless needed for respiratory diagnosis, anaesthetic decisions or optimizing respiratory disease before surgery (H3).

Related codes: J335, J330, J304, J301, J327

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Pulmonary Function Studies, Pulmonary Function Studies, page H6. Preamble H1–H3.

APEX checks every paid claim against the Schedule of Benefits and flags codes billed below what the visit qualified for. See how APEX works · Pricing