** Shares of medical device maker Insulet PODD.O fall 3% to $279.52

** "Pacing of how rebates will be recognized in the pharmacy channel brings headwind to Q1 U.S. growth, but nets out evenly through remaining quarters," says brokerage Oppenheimer

** Rebates are paid by drug manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers $(PBM)$, which act as middlemen between drug companies and consumers, in exchange for favorable placement of their drugs on insurer coverage lists

** "With 100% of the U.S. business in the pharmacy and a better relationship with the PBMs, there's much less lumpiness, and Insulet won't be experiencing the normal price bump from rebating in Q1," says J.P.Morgan

** Brokerage BTIG analyst Marie Thibault says 2025 revenue forecasts may be viewed as "somewhat underwhelming"

** Co expects annual revenue to grow between 16% and 20%

** Its total revenue jumped 17.2% to $597.5 million for Q4, beating analysts' estimates of $582.8 million, according to data compiled by LSEG

** Sales of Omnipod insulin pumps also beat estimates

** PODD has risen ~47% in the last 12 months

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)

((Siddhiprabhanjan.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))