Frequently Asked Questions | Cologuard® Patient Site

COLOGUARD PLUS™ AND COLOGUARD® TEST: FAQS

How can we help you today? 

Please type your question or scroll below to get answers.

All about Cologuard®

What is the Cologuard test?

Cologuard is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, prescription-based, use-at-home collection kit for screening people 45 or older who are at average risk for colon cancer. Use it in the privacy of your home and ship it back to our lab for testing. Learn more

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum. Depending on where the tumor is, it’s also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer. It usually starts with the growth of polyps. Polyps are small, usually harmless growths in the colon. Left undetected over time, they can develop into cancer over time. Learn more

Why does screening matter?

Colon cancer is the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer.1 When caught in its early stages (1 & 2), it’s survivable in about 90% of people.2

• 1 Itzkowitz SH. Incremental advances in excremental cancer detection tests. JNCI. 2009;101(18)1225-1227.
• 2 Based on a 5-year survival. National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Accessed Aug. 15, 2025. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

What does the Cologuard test screen for?

Cologuard detects blood and the DNA cells released from altered cells, and can detect both precancer and cancer.

How does the Cologuard test work?

Cologuard uses advanced stool technology to blood and the DNA cells released from altered cells. It can detect both precancer and cancer. Learn more

When do I stop screening for colon cancer?

The USPSTF recommends screening for colon cancer starting at 45 years old until 75. The decision to screen beyond that should be an individual one, taking into account your overall health and prior screening history.

How effective is the Cologuard test?

Cologuard found 92% of all colon cancers (and 94% of all stage 1 & 2 cancers) in a clinical study of 10,000 participants, ages 50-84 years old, who were of average risk for colorectal cancer.

• Imperiale TF, Ransohoff DF, Itzkowitz SH, et al. Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(14):1287-1297.

Learn more

Can the Cologuard test detect polyps?

Yes, Cologuard can detect some precancerous polyps that grow on the wall of the colon and may develop into cancer.

• Imperiale TF, Ransohoff DF, Itzkowitz SH, et al. Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(14):1287-1297.

Who is the Cologuard test for?

Cologuard is for adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colon cancer. It is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.

Is the Cologuard test FDA-approved?

Yes, Cologuard was approved by the FDA in August 2014 after undergoing a rigorous review process known as a Pre-Market Approval (PMA).

Why did I receive a Cologuard kit from Exact Sciences in the mail?

If you received Cologuard in the mail, it means your insurance or health care provider requested it on your behalf. Adults aged 45 and older at average risk for colon cancer are eligible for testing. If you have additional questions about this order, please contact Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870.

Is the Cologuard test available in all U.S. states?

Cologuard is available in all U.S. states. If you have more specific questions, please call 1-844-870-8870.

All about Cologuard Plus™

What is the Cologuard Plus test?

Cologuard Plus is the next-generation, FDA-approved version of Cologuard®, designed to detect colon cancer even in its earliest stages.

Based on a subset of 18,911 average risk patients aged 45-84 years from a prospective, multicenter study, the Cologuard Plus test offers:1

• Accurate detection: Finds 95% of colon cancers
• Finds pre-cancers: Detects 43% of advanced precancerous growths and 74% of high-risk lesions
• Peace of mind: A negative result means there's a 99.98% chance you don’t have colon cancer

1 Cologuard Plus Clinician Brochure. Madison, WI; Exact Sciences Corporation.

How can I get the Cologuard Plus test?

You can request Cologuard through your health care provider. Depending on your insurance coverage, you’ll receive either Cologuard or Cologuard Plus. You can also request Cologuard Plus by ordering and paying out-of-pocket.

Currently, Medicare Part B is the initial insurer to cover Cologuard Plus. Insurance coverage will continue to expand in the coming months. Please use our insurance look-up tool for coverage updates.

Request Cologuard Plus with self-pay

How to use Cologuard

How do I request a Cologuard test?

If you’re 45+ and at average risk for colon cancer, there are two easy ways to request Cologuard: online or through your health care provider. Either way, we’ll deliver your prescribed kit right to your door. Get started

How do I use the Cologuard test?

Your kit comes with easy-to-follow, step-by-step sample-collection instructions. You can also download our Patient Guide or watch our how-to videos. Get help

Is there any prep required?

The Cologuard test does not require prep. You can keep your diet and medications exactly as they are.

Where do I go to track my order? 

Log in to your personal account to track your order.

How do I ship my sample back to the lab?

To ship back your sample, follow the simple instructions for repacking, labeling, and shipping (which we cover). Once our lab receives your sample, your test results will typically be available in 8 to 10 days. Get help

I received my Cologuard kit a while ago and haven’t used it yet. How long is it good for?

Your test order expires one year from the date of the order. Because timely screening is important to your health, we suggest collecting your sample as soon as you receive your kit.

Also, check the Cologuard box for the expiration date. If that date has passed, or you have other questions, call Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870. We can help you get a new kit at no additional cost.

How can I tell if my stool sample is normal?

It’s important that your sample is consistent, so loose stools are ok if that’s normal for you. However, if you are sick and have diarrhea, you should wait until you feel better to collect a sample. If you have any questions, call Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870. 

I received my kit, but I made a mistake collecting my sample. What should I do?

We’re here to answer any questions you may have. Just call Customer Care at+1 844-870-8870. If needed, we can ship you a new Cologuard kit at no additional cost.

My kit arrived damaged and/or missing a part. What should I do?

Call our Customer Care Center at 1-844-870-8870. We'll help you figure out if you need a new kit. If you do, we'll send you one at no additional cost.

How often should I use the Cologuard test?

The American Cancer Society recommends that you begin screening for colon cancer at age 45 – no matter your race, ethnicity, or gender. If you receive a negative result, it's recommended that you screen again in 3 years.

• American Cancer Society. When should you start getting screened for colorectal cancer? Published February 4, 2021. Accessed December 22, 2022

Understanding your test results

When will I get my screening results?

It typically takes 8 to 10 days from the date you ship back your Cologuard kit to get your result. We’ll send them to your health care provider, too, so you can discuss your results with them.

Where do I access my test results? 

Log in to your account to access your results. They will typically be available in 8 to 10 days once our lab receives your kit.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the test detected altered DNA and/or blood that could be caused by a precancerous polyp or colon cancer. Talk to your health care provider about getting a colonoscopy and any other next steps.

What does a negative result mean?

A negative result means the test did not detect altered DNA and/or blood that could be caused by a precancerous polyp or colon cancer. We send your results to your health care provider, so we recommend that you follow up with them.

What percentage of positive Cologuard tests are cancer?

A positive Cologuard test result is not a cancer diagnosis. If you receive a positive result, please get in touch with your health care provider to discuss next steps.

What percentage of people get a false positive?

In a study of 10,000 people of average risk, the Cologuard test detected 92% of colon cancer. Meanwhile, 87% of patients without colon cancer received a negative test result.

A positive result is not a cancer diagnosis. See your health care provider to discuss your results, next steps, and the right screening method for you.

Why did you test my sample when it was received outside the timeframe listed in the Patient Guide?

On November 12, 2024, we received FDA approval to extend the sample stability limit to 144 hours for kits received in the lab within 21 months of their date of manufacture (DOM).

When a kit is received, the lab checks the kit DOM and applies the appropriate stability limit.

Billing and coverage

Is the Cologuard test covered by insurance?

Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurers cover Cologuard. Most insured patients who are 45+ and at average risk pay $0.00.*

• *Rate of coverage varies by state and region. Coverage rate only applies to the Cologuard test screening population.

How much does the Cologuard test cost?

Most insured patients who are 45+ and at average risk pay $0.00.* However, there are some instances where Cologuard is only partially covered, or not at all. The rate of coverage varies by state, region, and your insurance plan. If you’re struggling to get your kit covered, give our Customer Care Center a call at 1-844-870-8870. We’ll help call your insurance provider to see if we can help.

• *Rate of coverage varies by state and region. Coverage rate only applies to the Cologuard test screening population.

Does insurance cover colonoscopy after a Cologuard test?

As of 2023, Medicare and commercial plans cover the out-of-pocket cost for a colonoscopy following a positive Cologuard result. Exceptions for coverage may apply, so please confirm with your insurer. They are the best source of information on your plan and coverage.

How do I pay my bill?

Payments are accepted either online or by mail. For help, call our Customer Care Center at 1-844-870-8870.

How does requesting a Cologuard test online work?

You can request a Cologuard test online through a telehealth provider. Exact Sciences partnered with Recuro Health to offer this service. To get started, you just need to answer a few questions.

Who is Recuro Health?

We’ve partnered with Recuro Health to provide telehealth services. This allows you to request a Cologuard test online.

I won't be using this. Should I just send it back? Will my insurance be billed?

Please discuss your colon cancer screening plan with your health care provider. If you choose not to screen for colon cancer with the Cologuard test, you can simply recycle the kit's components. Neither you nor your insurance will be charged until a sample is received and processed. You may receive some reminders in the meantime. If you wish not to, please contact Exact Sciences Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870. See important risk information