** Shares of U.S. health insurer Clover Health CLOV.O rise 6.3% to $2.70 premarket

** Co says it expects to report its first-ever annual profit this year, after reporting a 53% jump in membership for its Medicare Advantage plans

** Membership for PPO plans up 53% to about 153,000, mostly in core markets - CLOV

** More than 97% of members enrolled in flagship PPO plan ranked top on quality measures, per co

** PPO plans let members see any doctor without referral

** Retention above 95% during latest enrollment period; expects higher government payments in 2026, co says

** Tech platform Clover Assistant and home care services credited for growth – CLOV

** As of last close, stock down ~25% over the past year

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))