Medicare 'must cater for abuse victims'

A law experts wants the Medicare system to be modified to provide care for child abuse survivors.

Redress funds for abuse survivors should be used to expand Medicare, a royal commission has been told.

Louise Roufeil, executive manager of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), said an overhauled Medicare system was essential to properly help thousands of people traumatised by childhood experiences in care.

Dr Roufeil said the doorway to services was very narrow and entry "very difficult and when you can get in, the capacity to fully provide treatment is limited".

Her evidence on Thursday to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse came a day after the federal government knocked back a commission suggestion that Medicare be expanded.

The commission had factored counselling costs into a $4.3 billion redress model to be funded by governments and non-government institutions.

APS, the peak professional body for psychologists, said Medicare expansion had merit but adjustments would be needed.

Eligibility for redress should be a way in, the 10 visits a year limit should not apply and providers should not be able to claim gap fees.

At present, people need GP referrals to get psychological help, and gap fees can come to more than $100 a visit.

Thursday was the second day of a hearing into redress.

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Medicare 'must cater for abuse victims'