The House moved Tuesday to make it easier for patients to understand health insurance plans’ limits and restrictions before they sign up.

By a vote of 422-3, the House passed a bill (HR 1253), sponsored by Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, that would require that people signing up for a health plan receive in writing an explanation of treatment limits or non-covered conditions, along with other plan restrictions, “in a form that is easily understandable.”

All group health plans would be covered by the bill, and health plans would be required to provide the information before customers sign up.

“Trip and fall at home, no problem. Trip and fall while skiing on vacation with the family, and you get the bill,” Burgess said. “This is simply unfair. . . . The lack of clarity underlying these exclusions has created a confusing situation for individuals,” Burgess, a physician, said on the House floor Monday.

“We are going to stand up and shine a light on these exclusions so Americans will not be caught off-guard by exclusions buried deep within an insurance plan,” he said.

The Energy and Commerce Committee approved the measure by voice vote March 4.

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