Feb 5 (Reuters) - UnitedHealth ( UNH ) has reached out

to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about billionaire

investor Bill Ackman's now-deleted post on social media platform

X that said he would take a short position in the healthcare

conglomerate.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

"If I still shorted stocks, I would short United

Healthcare," Ackman said in his post, referring to the company's

health insurance unit.

The investor also said the company's profits are likely

overstated due to its coverage decisions.

MARKET REACTION

UnitedHealth's ( UNH ) shares fell about 1.5% in afternoon trade

after Ackman's post.

KEY QUOTE

"Any claims that health insurers, which typically have low-

to mid-single digit margins, can somehow over-earn are grossly

uninformed about the structure and strong regulatory oversight

of the sector," a UnitedHealth ( UNH ) spokesperson said.

The SEC declined to comment.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru)