Massachusetts receives federal health care waiver

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BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts has received a waiver that could help avoid a spike in health care premiums for some small businesses.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted Massachusetts the one-year waiver to let the businesses continue using rating factors that are permitted under state law but don't align with President Obama's health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act.

Baker says the state made the request because transitioning to the federal rules could disrupt the insurance market in Massachusetts and cause insurance rates for employee health coverage to increase for small businesses.

It's not the first time the state has requested a waiver.

In 2013, Massachusetts received a waiver to allow a gradual transition to full compliance with the federal law.