Under typical rules for gifts to patients, which of the following is allowed?

• A. A $12 non-cash gift to a patient
• B. A $20 non-cash gift to a patient
• C. A $15 cash gift to a patient
• D. A $80 non-cash gift to a patient within a year

Answer: (A)

Gifts to patients are allowed mainly when they are nominal in value and non-cash, so they don’t create expectations of influenced care. A small non-cash token stays within the usual nominal-value limit, making it permissible because it signals appreciation without risking undue influence or fairness concerns. Larger gifts, even non-cash, can cross that threshold and cash gifts are typically prohibited for the same reason: they could unduly affect a patient’s decisions or create inequities. An especially large non-cash gift obviously exceeds the modest-value guideline, and cash gifts are generally disallowed. So the modest non-cash gift fits the typical rule set.