Medical company ships unwanted cancer tests to homes, sparking anger and privacy concerns

In a troubling intersection of aggressive medical marketing and privacy concerns, thousands of Americans are receiving unrequested colon cancer screening tests at their doorsteps – a practice that has triggered consumer complaints nationwide.

While colon cancer is expected to take more than 105,000 American lives this year – approximately 280 people every day – some consumers are raising alarms about the aggressive distribution tactics of Exact Sciences, maker of the Cologuard home testing kit.

“I open the box and I realize it’s the Cologuard test,” said Nancy DeLapa, who discovered an unwanted medical testing kit on her doorstep. “Now how would they know if it’s time to screen? I don’t know... It’s actually not time for me to screen.”

DeLapa, who maintains regular colonoscopy screenings every five years, says she checked with her doctor and her doctor didn’t order it. She represents just one voice in a growing chorus of concerned consumers. Her case highlighting what she calls a disturbing pattern: the company shipped her a test kit she never ordered, then told her in a follow-up letter that her healthcare provider had requested it.

Pattern of complaints emerges

The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin has documented 376 complaints against Exact Sciences, “The complaints generally involve consumers stating that they’ve either received Cologuard tests without being ordered by themselves or their physicians, or stating that they were being billed for these test kits when they believe they were covered by their health insurance,” said Lisa Schiller of the Better Business Bureau.

Some of those complaints claiming that consumers were charged substantial amounts for taking the test and returning it to Cologuard. Amounts of five-hundred, six-hundred, seven-hundred dollars.

During a phone call, while KPRC2 was filming DeLapa, an Exact Sciences representative told her she was among 400,000 people with her particular insurance provider that was targeted to receive the test.

Company defends practice

Exact Sciences, when confronted, defended its actions with a statement which includes: “Health plans or health systems identify members who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening... to provide Cologuard tests directly to those members.”

However, medical professionals challenge this approach. Dr. Eric Haas, Chief of Colorectal Surgery at Houston Colon, emphasizes that while Cologuard serves a purpose, its role is “narrow and limited” and needs appropriate application.

“I think that’s a problem, whether it be Cologuard or any other test or lab or x-ray,” Dr. Haas stated. “If it has to do with your body and the health of your body, the person you need to talk to is your physician. They know you best.”

Consumer impact

The practice has created a ripple effect of privacy concerns and financial anxiety among recipients. DeLapa’s husband also received an unrequested kit, which he refused at delivery. The delivery person noted having “about a dozen” similar packages on his truck that day alone.

While Exact Sciences claims 94% of patients face zero out-of-pocket costs for the Cologuard test, complaints to the Better Business Bureau suggest some consumers face unexpected bills reaching hundreds of dollars.

Expert guidance

Healthcare professionals advise consumers who receive unrequested medical tests to:

1. Contact your primary care physician before using any unrequested medical test
2. Document all communication with the company sending you the test
3. Check with your insurance provider about coverage before proceeding with any test, to see if you will be charged anything for taking the test

Dr. Eric Haas, a colorectal surgeon emphasizes that screening decisions should remain between patients and their doctors – not driven by unsolicited mail-order test kits.

Statement from Exact Sciences, the makers of the Cologuard® test

Exact Sciences understands that questions sometimes arise about how Cologuard® kits are sent to patients through health plans or health system outreach programs. These programs are designed to help people who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.

Health plans and health systems implement these programs for their members. These are not unsolicited mailings. They are part of insurer and health system efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening among people who might otherwise remain unscreened. Exact Sciences fulfills test orders once the health plan or health system provides a list of individuals who are eligible and due for average-risk screening and only following an order from a licensed clinician.

Participation is always optional. Every patient has the right to decline or recycle their kit at no cost. Safeguards are in place to ensure these programs are reaching appropriate individuals, and Exact Sciences continues to work closely with its partners to strengthen patient communications and program criteria.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and programs like these are an important part of increasing screening and helping to save lives through early detection of cancer and precancerous polyps.