Which type of files should an MAA use to remind patients of future appointments or procedures?

The correct choice is tickler files. These types of files are specifically designed to serve as reminders for future tasks, appointments, or procedures. Tickler files help medical administrative assistants efficiently keep track of patients' schedules by collecting reminders that can be organized by date or sequence of action needed.

By utilizing tickler files, an MAA can ensure timely follow-ups with patients, such as reminding them of upcoming appointments or necessary medical procedures. This systematic approach enhances patient care by reducing missed appointments and improving overall communication between the healthcare provider and patients.

Other options, such as indirect and direct files, typically refer to various formats of information storage or document retrieval but do not serve the specific purpose of reminding patients of appointments. Reserved files may indicate files reserved for particular uses but lack the functionality of serving as reminders. Tickler files are thus uniquely suited for this task, making them the preferred choice in this context.