Why did I get a Cologuard Plus® test at my door?
You should have received a letter, text, or email informing you that Cologuard Plus 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.
Screening is the first step to detect colon cancer
The Cologuard Plus test is trusted by over 340,000 doctors1 and 20 million patients.2
Learn why getting screened is important from our chief medical officer, Dr. Paul Limburg.
A noninvasive, safe, and FDA-approved
colon cancer test to use at home
45+
For adults 45+ and at
average risk
95%
Detects 95% of colon cancers, similar to a colonoscopy, per separate studies3,4*†
100%
100% sensitivity detecting colon cancer in a small subset study of adults 45-593,‡
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 Plus 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 results in 8 to 10 days from the date our lab receives your kit.Screen every 3 years7
The American Cancer Society recommends rescreening 3 years after a negative Cologuard Plus test result.Most insured people pay $01
For those 45+ at average risk, Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard Plus test.
As of 2023, Medicare and insurance plans cover out-of-pocket costs for a colonoscopy after a positive Cologuard Plus result.
What to do and expect from start to finish
Use your kit
Use the quick start guide included in your Cologuard Plus box to see how simple it is to collect and pack your stool sample.
Ship your sample
Use the prepaid label included in your box and choose how you want to ship your kit: UPS® pickup or drop-off.
Get your result
Within 8 to 10 days of our lab receiving your sample, you’ll be notified that your result is ready to view in your account. Share it with your doctor or call us at +1 844-340-1594 if you need help with next steps.
“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
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers
Cologuard Plus 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.
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 Plus orders require a prescription. As requested by your health plan, a licensed telehealth care provider placed a Cologuard Plus order for you. If you have a primary care provider, please share your results with them. If you are not sure if the Cologuard Plus test is right for you, please speak with your own doctor or primary 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 Plus 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.
- 1 Itzkowitz SH. Incremental advances in excremental cancer detection tests. JNCI. 2009;101(18)1225-1227.
- 2 National Cancer Institute. SEER cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Accessed June 1, 2026. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html
In a study that included a subset of nearly 19,000 average-risk patients aged 45-85, the Cologuard Plus test detected 95% of Stage I to IV colon cancers. In a small subset study of adults aged 45-59, Cologuard Plus detected 100% of all colon cancers.
- 1 Cologuard Plus® Clinician Brochure. Madison, WI: Exact Sciences Corporation.
- 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.
Cologuard Plus orders require a prescription. As requested by your health plan, a licensed telehealth care provider placed a Cologuard Plus order for you. If you have a primary care provider, please share your results with them. If you are not sure if the Cologuard Plus test 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 Plus 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 with providers like us for health care purposes. 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 the Cologuard Plus test as part of your insurance benefits, there is no cost to you.
Please note that if your Cologuard Plus test yields a positive result, a follow-up colonoscopy is required. This is often covered by your insurance. However, if your Cologuard Plus 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 primary care provider to confirm coverage when scheduling.
Know that you have other options, and that the Cologuard Plus test is just one of them. Please feel free to talk to your own doctor or primary care provider if you have questions or to confirm which screening method is right for you. If you have questions about the Cologuard Plus test, 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 Plus 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.