The ACT Ambulance Service was forced to write-off thousands of debts worth a total of nearly $1.66 million in 2013-14.

That's enough to purchase six new, fully-equipped ambulances at the current average market price of roughly $250,000.

Last year's debts, for example, were worth more than the $1.25 million transformation of the old Greenway fire station into a new ambulance hub designed to service Tuggeranong.

Data released by the Emergency Services Agency shows there were

The highest debt racked up by a single patient was $10,775.

Currently, ACT patients pay $880 for emergency treatment and transport, plus $12 for every kilometre travelled outside the ACT.

Emergency treatment without transport costs $611, and non-emergency treatment and transport costs $629.

The ACT, like other jurisdictions, has emergency care exemptions for those without the means to pay, and for pensioners and concession cardholders.

Yet unpaid fees from other Canberrans still leave a significant hole in the service's budget.

Earlier this month, the NSW government introduced tough new powers to force debtors to pay for their care.

It appointed government enforcement officers with broad-ranging powers to seize property, freeze assets, and dock wages for unpaid accounts.

Those types of enforcement actions are not used in the ACT.

Here, the government relies on its Shared Services' finance area for the debt recovery process.

It sends out reminder letters, tries to make telephone contact with debtors, and cross-checks billing addresses with details in the White Pages, on the internet, and with debtor information it already holds.

An ESA spokesman said payment plans can also be used to pay off debts periodically in some cases.

ACT concession and health care cardholders are exempt from paying for the service within the ACT.

Third party liability arrangements also exist for Department of Veterans Affairs entitlement cardholders, and for transport between two public hospitals or to an external diagnostic facility.

Most patients taken from car crashes are also covered for ambulance fees, something funded by the road rescue fee levied on vehicle registration.

Canberrans facing financial hardship can also apply for a waiver.

Similarly, NSW does not impose fees on those who are unlikely to have the capacity to pay, including pensioners and concession cardholders.

It also has a hardship policy allowing for waiver applications or payment deferral.

When it moved to introduce tougher powers last year, the NSW government cited rising levels of debt, and the difficulties of seeking recompense through the courts.

In that state, $26 million in unpaid fees were written off in 2011-12, rising from $21 million in 2008-09 and $22 million in 2009-10.

The average debt, according to Health Minister Jillian Skinner, was just $400, making it difficult and often pointless to turn to the courts to get the money back.

Legal fees and administration costs were quickly overshadowing the debt being sought.

The new civil powers in NSW allow for the garnisheeing of wages, the making of property seizure orders, and placing a charge on land.

The scheme was modelled on enforcement powers introduced for drunks who used sobering up centres.