Could anyone recommend a source (hopefully online) for a model initial COBRA notice. I recently saw a reference to ERISA Technical Release 86-2, but I have not been able to locate it online. The reference mentioned it is outdated anyway.
I was wondering what people were using for this. I am not sure what is required in the notice, and I need to estimate the approximate length of the text for printing purposes.

Use the COBRA notice you have in your SPDs (hopefully) as your initial notice. The regs don't make a distintion.

If you want some help with COBRA try

http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba/public/guide.htm and scroll down to

Health Benefits Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) (PDF).