Table 1. Types of empanelment assignment approaches.

Below are approaches that are used to both identify the target population and to assign a panel of individuals to a facility, care team, or provider.
Geographic This is the simplest approach and assigns people based on a clearly demarcated area where they live. Although geographic catchment areas may be used to define the boundaries of geographic assignment, the basic existence of catchment areas is not equivalent to geographic assignment.	Insurance-based In this approach, an insurer assigns individuals to a health care provider or team. The insurer may have a gatekeeping scheme in place through that particular assigned primary provider for referrals and access to other services. Individuals do not always adhere to insurance-based assignment, which can cause a mismatch between where the insurer assigns the individual and with whom (or where) care is received.	Individual Choice This approach, often referred to as voluntary, allows individuals to assign themselves by choosing their health care provider(s)/care team. With this approach, if an individual chooses a care team/provider, that individual will be added to the panel of the care team or provider. This approach runs the risk of missing individuals and families that do not seek care or who move often.