; and (B) no later than 24 hours after receipt of such request. (e) Medication step therapy protocol In this section, the term step therapy protocol means a protocol or program that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs that— (1) are for a specified disease or condition, and (2) are medically necessary for a particular patient, are covered under a pharmacy or medical benefit by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage. . (b) Technical correction; clerical change The table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 714 the following new items: Sec. 715. Additional market reforms. Sec. 716. Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols. (c) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) applies to plan years beginning no sooner than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.