What is it? How is it treated? Does it go away after a while?
Its when a person, usually asleep, stops breathing for brief periods of time. They often wake up gasping. Its usually diagnosed by a sleep study or a pulse oximeter during sleep. Usually treated with a c-pap or a forced air machine that forces air in.
I think everybody with Chiari needs a sleep study. Many people have no clue they have it, or have had the symptoms for so long they think they are normal.
Your PCP can order that 
Also keep in mind that due to insurance restrictions a lot of times doctors have to see you before they can run certain tests. Also insurance requires them to run a preliminary test or evaluation before they can run the one that is actually needed. Not Chiari related but I have an inflammatory arthritic condition that is in the early stages. Since I'm young and have high bone density to see the damage I have to have MRIs. X-rays won't show the extent of the arthritis yet. However my insurance won't authorize an MRI without the doctor first doing a series of X-rays. So almost every year I have a bunch of x-rays on my hip knowing that they won't show anything. Then I have to wait for that report and follow-up so I can get the MRI I actually need ordered. It's inconvenient for sure but it's better than my doctor rushing me straight to the MRI and then finding out that the insurance didn't cover it an I owe $5k!
Yes, it is so frustrating. I’ve said before this condition sucks and it sucks your money too. I hope you get what you need before the years end, but Beebs is right don’t rush into a deal with a surgeon you aren’t sure about- long run it will not save money. It took 8 months to see the surgeon who did my fusion, I had to pay a whole new deductible for a new year and as bad as that hurts I know I had the right surgeon for what I needed. He has a long waiting list, and honestly if a surgeon has time to pretreat all of his patients before he even has a consultation with them he may not be what you want. To save a little time your PCP may be willing to order a sleep study and refer you to a cardiologist for a dysautonomia test. Some PCPs will do that others want the specialists to order that stuff. Hang in there 78.
Jenn
Jumped the gun- just read your earlier response about calling your PCP. You’ve done what you can now you wade into the flow. It may be the lazy river but it is still moving! and continue to research the condition and other NSs in case you want another opinion. You can do this.