THE COLOGUARD® TEST FAQS

Answers to common questions about the Cologuard® test

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The hows, whos, whats and whys

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

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

The Cologuard test uses advanced stool technology to detect DNA and blood cells released from altered cells. It can detect both precancer and cancer.
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The Cologuard test found 92% of all colon cancers (and 94% of all stage I & II cancers) in a clinical study of 10,000 participants, ages 50-84 years old, who are 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.
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Yes, the Cologuard test 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.
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The Cologuard test 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.

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

If you received a Cologuard test 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. Our team is available 24/7 and will be able to help.

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

What is the Cologuard Plus™ test?

Cologuard Plus is the next-generation, FDA-approved version of the Cologuard® test, designed to find colon cancer even at the 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:

  • Accurate detection: Finds 95% of colon cancers1
  • Finds pre-cancers: Detects 43% of advanced precancerous growths and 74% of high-risk lesions1
  • Peace of mind: A negative result means there's a 99.98% chance you don’t have colon cancer1

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

The Cologuard Plus test is available to order as of March 31, 2025.

You can request the Cologuard test through your healthcare provider. Your insurance coverage will determine which version of the test you should receive. You can also request your test by ordering with self-pay.


Request the Cologuard Plus test with Self-Pay

As the Cologuard Plus test is available for a longer period, insurance coverage will expand. Currently, Medicare Part B is the initial insurer to cover the Cologuard Plus test. Please check in for updates as coverage expands.

How to use the Cologuard test

If you’re 45+ and at average risk for colon cancer, there are two easy ways to request the Cologuard test: online or through your health care provider. Either way, we’ll deliver your prescribed kit right to your door.
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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.
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The Cologuard test does not require prep. You can keep your diet and medications exactly as they are.

Log in to your personal account to track your order.

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 within 2 weeks.
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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.

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. 

We’re here 24/7 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.

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.

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

It typically takes under 2 weeks from the date you ship back your Cologuard kit to get your result. We’ll send them to your healthcare provider too so you can discuss your result with them. 

Log in to your account to access your results. It typically takes under 2 weeks from the date you ship back your Cologuard kit. 

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 healthcare provider about getting a colonoscopy, and any other next steps.

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 result to your provider regardless and recommend following up with them.

A positive Cologuard test result is not a cancer diagnosis. If you receive a positive result, contact your doctor to discuss next steps. 

Cologuard is intended to screen adults 45 and older at average risk for colon cancer. In a study of 10,000 people of average risk, Cologuard found 92% of cancer. Cologuard was negative in 87% of patients without cancer. A positive result is not a cancer diagnosis. Contact your healthcare provider to discuss your results and next steps.


You should always talk to your doctor about what colon cancer screening method is right for you. Cologuard® offers a noninvasive, convenient and effective test that can be completed right in your home.


If you have any questions, please contact Exact Sciences Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870.

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 & coverage

Cologuard is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurers. Most insured patients pay $0.00*
  • *Rate of coverage varies by state and region. Coverage rate only applies to Cologuard screening population.

Most insured patients 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 Cologuard covered, give our Customer Care Center a call at 1-844-870-8870 and we’ll call your insurance provider ourselves to see if we can help.
  • *Rate of coverage varies by state and region. Coverage rate only applies to Cologuard screening population.

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; please confirm with your insurer. They are the best source of info on your plan and coverage.

Cologuard accepts payment either online or by mail. For assistance call our Customer Care Center at 1-844-870-8870.

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

Recuro Health is a telehealth company. Exact Sciences partnered with Recuro Health to offer telehealth services. This allows you to request Cologuard online.

Please discuss your colon cancer screening plan with your healthcare provider. If you choose not to screen for colon cancer with Cologuard®, you may simply recycle the components of the kit. There is no charge until a sample is received and processed. You may receive some reminders in the meantime, and if you wish not to, please contact Exact Sciences Customer Care at 1-844-870-8870.
See important risk information