Why did I get a Cologuard® test at my door?

A doctor or a licensed provider ordered or may have prescribed one for you at the request of your health plan or a health system
Your insurance requested one based on your eligibility
Your health system (the hospital or clinic you visit) had it sent

You should have received a letter, text, or email informing you that Cologuard is part of your benefits, so your test comes at no cost to you. If you want to be sure, you can verify your insurance.


Still have questions? We’re happy to help at +1 844-340-1594.

How to use your kit
Couple on porch picking up delivered Cologuard test kits.

Screening is the first step to detect colon cancer

The Cologuard test is trusted by over 340,000 doctors1 and most people pay $0.*
Learn why getting screened is important from our chief medical officer, Dr. Paul Limburg.
WHAT IS THE COLOGUARD TEST?

A noninvasive, safe, and FDA-approved
colon cancer test to use at home

Be one of the 20 million patients2 who have screened with Cologuard.

45+

For adults 45+ and at
average risk

92%

Finds 92% of colon
cancers overall3

94%

Detects 94% of Stage 1
& Stage 2 colon cancers4

Learn more about Cologuard
WHY USE COLOGUARD

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers5

It’s also more treatable in 9 out of 10 people if caught early.6* Your Cologuard box has everything you need to collect a stool sample at home and ship it back to our lab.

Zero downtime with no prep

No need to change your diet or medications. Use your test at home, on your time.

Easy to understand results

Expect your test result in 8 to 10 days from when our lab receives your kit.

Screen every 3 years7

The American Cancer Society recommends screening again 3 years after a negative Cologuard test.
THE COLOGUARD TEST PROCESS

What to do and expect from start to finish

A man stands in his living room holding a Cologuard box.

Use your kit

Use the quick start guide included in your Cologuard box to see how simple it is to collect and pack your stool sample.

Watch our how to use video
Read our quick start guide
A cellphone in a person’s hands with a screen displaying a kit pickup scheduling application

Ship your sample

Use the prepaid label included in your box and choose how you want to ship your kit back to our lab: UPS® pickup or drop-off.

See shipping options
Quick return app
A man and woman sitting at the kitchen table looking at a laptop.

Get your test result

You’ll be notified that your result is ready to view in your account within 8 to 10 days after our lab gets your sample. Share it with your doctor or call us at +1 844-340-1594 if you need help with next steps.

Understand test results

“It's important for me to get the word out there, hopefully alleviate some of the stigma, and make these conversations commonplace.”

Tim

Cancer survivor, screened with Cologuard

A smiling photo of Tim while sharing his Cologuard story.

Frequently asked questions

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. Collect a sample in the privacy of your home and ship it back to our lab for testing.
Learn more

It’s becoming more common for health insurance plans or health systems to help eligible members stay up to date with recommended colorectal cancer screenings. Health plans and providers may share limited information with certified laboratories, such as Exact Sciences, for health care purposes like preventive cancer screening.


Cologuard orders require a prescription. As requested by your health plan, a licensed telehealth care provider placed a Cologuard order for you. If you have a primary care provider, please share your results with them. If you are not sure if Cologuard is right for you, please speak with your own doctor or other health care provider.


You should have received a letter, text, or email notifying you about this screening initiative and letting you know that you may be eligible to receive a Cologuard test at no cost. If you did not receive a notification, we apologize for any confusion.


Only the limited information needed to process and deliver your test was shared, and we take patient privacy very seriously.

Colon cancer is the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer.1 When caught in its early stages (1 & 2), it’s survivable in 9 out of 10 of people.2*

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. Multi-target stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(14):1287-1297.

Do not use Cologuard products if you have:

  • Had adenomas, which are a type of colon polyp that can sometimes become cancer
  • An inflammatory bowel disease or other hereditary syndromes
  • A personal or first-degree family history of colorectal cancer
  • A positive result from another colon cancer screening method within that test's recommended screening interval


    • Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these situations apply to you.

    In some cases, your primary care provider will be provided with a copy of your results. Please share your results with them, and discuss any next steps or follow-up care that may be required.

    Cologuard orders require a prescription. As requested by your health plan, a licensed telehealth care provider placed a Cologuard order for you. If you have a primary care provider, please share your results with them. If you are not sure if Cologuard is right for you, please speak with your primary care provider.

    UPS® returns your completed test to our lab in Madison, Wisconsin. Exact Sciences Laboratories is the sole lab that processes Cologuard tests. Results are typically available within 8 to 10 days. You will receive a notification when yours is ready. Our lab is dedicated to delivering accurate results and providing the service you deserve. If you have any questions, please call 1-844-340-1594.

    Exact Sciences Laboratories is a CLIA-certified laboratory. Your health insurance company can share your information for health care purposes with providers like us. We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your information, including your test results.

    Your health insurance company will only be billed once there is a valid result. If you received Cologuard as part of your insurance benefits, there is no cost to you.


    Please note that if your Cologuard test yields a positive result, a follow-up colonoscopy is required. This is often covered by your insurance. However, if your Cologuard result is negative and you decide to undergo a follow-up colonoscopy, that procedure may no longer be covered by your insurance. Feel free to talk with your own doctor or other health care provider to confirm coverage when scheduling.

    Know that you have other options, and that Cologuard is just one of them. Please feel free to talk to your own doctor or other health care provider if you have questions or to confirm which screening method is right for you. If you have questions about Cologuard, you can also call us at 1-844-340-1594.

    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.

    Not at all. If you choose not to use your Cologuard test, there’s no need to return it. It’s safe to empty the bottle of liquid preservative into your sink with running water. Once done, you can dispose of the kit’s components which are also recyclable.