Sept 9 (Reuters) - UnitedHealth ( UNH ) expects most of

its members to be enrolled in top-rated Medicare insurance plans

next year, in line with its expectations, the top U.S. health

insurer said in a filing on Tuesday.

Shares of the company rose nearly 4% to $332.80 in premarket

trading on the news, as strong membership for plans with higher

star ratings would mean bigger payments from the government to

the insurer, and the bonus payments can be worth hundreds of

millions or billions of dollars.

The company expects to have about 78% of its membership in

4-star or higher-rated Medicare plans, meant for Americans aged

65 years or older, based on its preliminary review.

This is consistent with its expectations and in line with

historical performance, the company said.

The forecast, however, comes ahead of the Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services' 2026 star ratings data, which

can sway enrollees' choice of plan and determine the

government's reimbursement levels.

Medicare Advantage has been a growth driver for health

insurers, but rising medical costs and tighter government

reimbursements have been pressuring profits.

Senior leaders of UnitedHealth ( UNH ) will be meeting investors and

analysts this week, the company filing showed.

The company is also expected to reaffirm its 2025 adjusted

profit forecast. In July, it projected full-year adjusted

earnings per share of at least $16 after suspending its prior

outlook in May.

Like other insurers, UnitedHealth ( UNH ) has been hit with higher

costs. Stephen Hemsley, who returned as chief executive, is

under pressure to regain investor trust as the company faces

financial struggles and reputation damage that surfaced after

the then-CEO of its health insurance unit was gunned down on a

New York City street in December.

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)