You should be able to get a parasite poop test on Medicare when medically necessary. This usually means experiencing symptoms that suggest parasitic gastroenteritis.
In the United States, about 48 million people get a foodborne illness each year, and around 3,000 die from it. In addition, a large proportion of hospitalizations related to viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus also occur in people
However, many cases of stomach illness can also be caused by parasites. Such infections, particularly those that affect the digestive tract, may be more common than we think.
Different types of parasitic infections can affect the gastrointestinal tract and lead to gastroenteritis, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Doctors may order a stool test to detect such parasites if you have infection symptoms or if you’ve been exposed to potential parasites through travel, outbreaks, or untreated water.
A stool ova and parasites (O&P) test checks for parasites in your stool by sending a home-collected sample to a lab. Medicare should generally cover an O&P test when medically necessary.
Generally speaking, Medicare may cover an O&P test on referral by your doctor if you’ve experienced acute diarrhea for at least a week or persistent diarrhea for 2 to 4 weeks.
Along with diarrhea, some symptoms that may indicate a need for this test include:
- blood in your stool
- fever
- dehydration
- stomach pain
If you’ve been hospitalized for these symptoms or are immunocompromised, your doctor is even more likely to suspect a parasitic infection.
You’ll usually need to collect samples for this test several times over a few days.
The cost of an O&P test without insurance depends on the laboratory that analyzes your stool sample. Medicare’s contribution toward this cost depends on which part of the plan covers it.
Part A
If you’re hospitalized, you’ll submit the sample while in the hospital and be covered by Medicare Part A. Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A, but you’ll need to meet a $1,676 deductible before coverage begins.
Once you do, Part A will cover your hospital stay and any tests or treatments you need during that time in full for the first 60 days. If you need to remain in the hospital beyond 60 days, you’ll begin incurring an additional daily cost.
Part B
If you perform the test as an outpatient, meaning you collect the sample at home and take it to a lab for analysis, you should be covered under Part B.
In 2025, after you’ve met the Part B deductible of $257, Part B will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service. You also have to pay a monthly premium, which starts at $185, depending on your income.
Medigap
Medigap is an additional private plan you can purchase along with Original Medicare (parts A and B). It won’t directly cover any screenings or treatments, but you can use it to cover some out-of-pocket costs that remain after Original Medicare coverage kicks in.
However, Medigap plans typically have their own premiums, which depend on the specific plan. Based on a 2024 analysis, the average Medigap premium was $217.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Once enrolled in Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. This plan offers the same coverage, often alongside additional benefits, like vision or dental insurance.
Private insurers manage Part C plans, offering different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17 in 2025.
To remain enrolled in a Part C plan, you still have to pay the Part B premium. That said, some Part C plans may reimburse all or some of this cost. Note that you can’t use Medigap with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare may cover additional stool tests when deemed medically necessary. These include:
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
This test detects hidden blood in stool, which may indicate colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcers, or other digestive problems. Medicare provides coverage for this screening once per year for people ages 45 or older.
Multitarget stool DNA test
Each year in the United States, about 48 million people and many older adults develop a foodborne illness. While it’s unclear how many of these cases stem from parasites, digestive parasitic infections may be more widespread than assumed.
A stool ova and parasites (O&P) test uses a stool sample collected at home and analyzed in a lab. Medicare generally covers this test when medically necessary, usually if symptoms like acute diarrhea and fever point to parasitic gastroenteritis.