⚡ Quick Answer
- Survey ID #: a 17-digit number for the CVS survey, printed just below the items on recent receipts.
- “F” next to an item: CVS flagged it as possibly FSA/HSA eligible.
- FSA summary line: the “Health Care Eligible Total” near the bottom is the amount that counts for FSA/HSA records.
- Return date: recent receipts print the last day for returns with receipt.
- Lost a receipt? ExtraCare purchases appear in the CVS app.
✅ Based on a CVS receipt dated May 28, 2026
By Reynolds | Checked against the official CVS survey on November 1, 2026
A CVS receipt holds more than your total. It can show your survey ID, which items you may pay for with an FSA or HSA, and how long you have to return something. Here’s what each part means, using a real CVS receipt from May 2026 published by Tripl as the example.
CVS Receipt, Top to Bottom
| Part of the receipt | What it shows | Why it matters |
| Store header | Store address, phone, register, transaction, cashier and store number | Useful when contacting the store |
| Item lines | Each item and price; an “F” in front marks FSA-flagged items | Shows what may be FSA/HSA eligible |
| Survey ID # | A 17-digit number, grouped 4-4-4-3-2 | Needed for the CVS survey at www.cvshealthsurvey.com |
| Totals | Subtotal, tax, total and payment method | Your purchase record |
| Barcode and number | A barcode with an 18-digit number below it | Used by the store, so don’t confuse it with the Survey ID |
| Return policy line | “Returns with receipt… thru” a specific date | Your last day to return with this receipt |
| Messages and QR codes | Health offers, vaccine booking and similar | Promotions, which vary by store and date |
| FSA summary | “F=Flexible Spending Acct Summary (FSA), Health Care Eligible Total” | The eligible amount for FSA/HSA records |
The Survey ID
The Survey ID is the number the CVS survey asks for on its first screen. On the May 2026 receipt, it appears right after the item list, under “Survey ID #”, and is 17 digits. Check yours with our Survey ID checker, and don’t confuse it with the 18-digit number under the barcode.
The “F” Flag and FSA/HSA Eligible Total
CVS prints an F next to items its system flags as possibly FSA-eligible. As Tripl explains, the flag is a hint: the “Health Care Eligible Total” on the FSA summary line near the bottom is the number to use for FSA or HSA records. On the example receipt, both items carried an F, but only $15.69 of the $22.78 subtotal counted as eligible.
The Return-By Date
Recent CVS receipts print a line like “Returns with receipt, subject to CVS Return Policy, thru [date]”. On the example receipt from May 28, 2026, the date shown was July 27, 2026, about 60 days later. Always check the date printed on your own receipt, since policies and exceptions vary by product.
Lost Your CVS Receipt?
- CVS app: if you used your ExtraCare card, past receipts are in your account in the app.
- Pharmacy purchases: prescription payment history is in your pharmacy account on cvs.com or in the app.
- In store: the store may be able to look up a recent purchase made by card.
Note: a reprinted or digital receipt may not include a survey invitation. For the survey, use the original printed receipt. See our CVS survey guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the F mean on a CVS receipt?
An F next to an item means CVS’s system flagged it as possibly FSA-eligible. The Health Care Eligible Total on the FSA summary line is the amount to use for FSA or HSA records.
Where is the Survey ID on a CVS receipt?
On a CVS receipt dated May 28, 2026, it’s printed just below the list of items, after Survey ID #. It has 17 digits.
What is the long number under the barcode on a CVS receipt?
It’s a store number used for the transaction. On the example receipt it has 18 digits, so it isn’t the 17-digit Survey ID.
How long do I have to return something to CVS?
Check the return line on your receipt. On a receipt from May 28, 2026, it showed a return-by date of July 27, 2026.
How do I get a copy of a CVS receipt?
If you used your ExtraCare card, look in your account in the CVS app. Pharmacy payment history is in your pharmacy account.
Sources
About this guide
Written by Reynolds. We check the CVS survey by opening it ourselves (last on November 1, 2026) and by comparing dated CVS receipts published by other sources, linked below. When we can’t confirm something, such as a prize or a deadline, we say so instead of guessing. Spotted something out of date? Use our contact page. CVS and CVS Pharmacy are trademarks of their owner, used here only to identify the survey; anything CVS tells you directly overrides this page.