The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted nib's (ASX:NHF) Honeysuckle Health and nib health funds interim authorization to continue operating the Honeysuckle Health Buying Group, the competition watchdog said in a statement on Friday.

The interim clearance allows the group to continue operations while the ACCC evaluates the application for revocation and substitution of authorization AA1000542, the regulator said.

Authorization AA1000542, which expires on Oct. 13, authorizes Honeysuckle Health and nib health funds to operate the group to provide contracting services to registered healthcare payers and excludes the provision of services to major private health insurers, according to a separate statement.

nib shares rose nearly 2% in midday trade Friday.