They say access to health care should not impose an excessive level of financial burden on people who need to travel for treatment.

Prostate Cancer Support Group member and former Dubbo Hospital chief executive officer Brian Semmler said surveys had found some people were forced to make a decision about putting a meal on the table or travelling to obtain treatment.

"Of course, they choose the meal because they can't afford both," he said.

"It is shocking that in this so called enlightened age people have to make decisions on that basis.

"The government needs to rethink IPTAAS. If treatment services are unable to be provided in country areas adequate arrangements must be made for people who are required to travel.

"It is also important to provide support for immediate family members so that patients are not left in isolation when they are transferred from a rural and remote area to a major centre."

Cancer Council NSW programs co-ordinator for Dubbo and districts Camilla Barlow said welcomed changes were made to IPTAAS in 2012.

These included a greater patient subsidy, and more patients becoming eligible for subsidy along with simplified claims processing and reduced claims processing times.

Ms Barlow said further change was needed.

"In our 2014 submission to the Minister for Health's review into IPTAAS the Cancer Council outlined a range of recommendations based on the concerns we continue to hear from patients," she said.

"Despite the increase, subsidies are still too low and need to be increased and indexed annually in line with CPI. The eligibility criteria needs to be broadened to ensure those patients attending a clinical trial can receive assistance.

"Administrative changes that would make a difference to people include a customer service target for claims processing and clearer communication of the status of a patient's claim. Cancer Council NSW is currently waiting on the results of the review."

Cancer Voices NSW has been very much involved in trying to improve IPTAAS.

"There has been some positive change but the scheme could be improved a lot more," chair Sally Crossing said.

"Our organisation aims to be an independent voice for people affected by cancer. If people are having problems they can't resolve through their local health service they can come to us.

"We can't act on behalf of individuals but we can take action on issues that are shared by many, such as difficulties with IPTAAS."

During 2013-14 residents of Western NSW Local Health District received $2.95 million in travel and accommodation subsidies.

The government allocated $21.7 million to fund IPTAAS state-wide during 2014-15.

A health service spokesman said IPTAAS provided a subsidy to assist with the cost of travel and/ or accommodation where patients need to travel more than 100 km (each way), or at least 200km (cumulative distance) per week, to access specialist medical treatment.

"The cost of meals and incidental expenses such as road tolls, parking and booking fees are not reimbursable," the spokesperson said.

"All eligible persons must make a contribution towards each claim, excluding pensioners and Health Care Card Holders.

"It is a principle of IPTAAS that the patient access the nearest available specialist, but exemptions to this rule apply in a number of specific circumstances."

A standard subsidy rate of 19c/km is available to assist patients travelling to specialist treatment centres by private vehicle or hire car.

Public transport includes the cost of the fare less the GST component and booking fees.

A sliding scale applies for taxi fares, depending on the length of time the patient is required to stay at a treatment location.

The commercial accommodation subsidy is $43 per night per single room; or $60.00 per night per double room (patients and approved escorts).

A $20 per night subsidy is payable to patients for private accommodation.

A $40 co-contribution is levied on each claim made by a patient who is not a pensioner/health care card holder.

Once a patient's IPTAAS subsides reach $1000 within a one-year period the co-contributions are waived for the remainder of that year.

On taking office, the NSW government provided additional IPTAAS funding of $7 million per annum, a 50 per cent increase to the program's budget. From January 1, 2012, the fuel subsidy increased by 25 per cent, and commercial accommodation subsidies were increased by 30 per cent. At the same time, any patient who has to travel at least 200km per week (cumulative distance) became eligible for IPTAAS subsidies.

"This change has particularly benefited patients with chronic disease, such as cancer patients, who have to travel regularly for specialist medical treatment," the health service spokesperson said.

"Several changes to simplify the IPTAAS application process were introduced on January 1, 2013.

"The Ministry of Health has recently undertaken a review of the current IPTAAS eligibility criteria, subsidy levels and administrative processes, taking into account feedback on the improvements to the program from patients and consumer organisations."

The NSW government is currently considering that review.