As reported late last year, MetLife will take over managing the TRICARE Dental Program and begin providing dental coverage for more than 2 million active duty family members, Selected and Individual Ready Reservists and their families on May 1, 2012.

Editors Note: This change does not effect TRICARE’s  Retiree Dental plan.

All TDP enrollees will receive welcome packages and new enrollment cards.

If you are currently enrolled in TRICARE Dental, you will probably not have to do any paperwork or take any action during the transition. Unless you’re using automatic payments from a checking account or credit card to pay your monthly premium, in which case you have to contact MetLife to reauthorize your automatic payment.

For those not currently enrolled in TDP, MetLife will begin open enrollment applications today, March 21, 2012.

In addition, MetLife’s TDP website with customer service contact information and phone lines went live to support enrollees today.

According to a TRICARE press release, TDP enrollees will have access to MetLife’s network of more than 164,000 dentist locations.

The TDP will have a $1,300 annual benefit maximum and a $1,750 lifetime orthodontic maximum – both increases from the previous contract. It also offers expanded coverage including an additional cleaning for pregnant women, and survivor benefits for eligible family members.

For more information or to enroll in the TDP go to www.TRICARE.mil/TDP. And, for more detailed information about the covered services, limitations and exclusions beginning May 1, 2012, please download the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit Booklet.