The skyrocketing costs of healthcare in the United States is such a burden for many Americans that many forgo seeking recommended care, put off refilling prescriptions, or stop medicating altogether. If you are in the same boat, there is a much smarter way of dealing with the rising prices of healthcare services and prescription medications: sign up for an online discount pharmacy.

Sure, news about Internet fraud and online scams might make you hesitant to try this healthcare option. But let me tell you that you are missing a lot. Here are three reasons you should sign up for an online discount pharmacy:

3.Online discount pharmacies are safe and reputable.

That is as long as they are licensed and accredited by the United States? professional pharmaceutical organizations. The authorities on this field are the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Legit online pharmacies must pass the standards set by these agencies in order to operate. Other organizations like the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) must also give its seal of approval for further credibility. With the stringent measures implemented by these organizations, you can be sure that legit online pharmacies are safe and will protect any information you share with them such as credit card numbers or prescriptions.

How will you know if a site is legit or fake? The NABP for one has a program especially for online pharmacies called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. If a pharmacy website has passed the standards of the NABP for online drugstores, it will be awarded with a VIPPS seal. There are also many online guides that can teach you how to spot fraudulent websites so as long as you practice your Internet smarts, you can take advantage of online discount pharmacies.

4.Online discount pharmacies are convenient and accessible at all times.

Ever needed a medication badly but found that no local pharmacy in your area has it? Or that every pharmacy you looked into is closed for the day? This will never happen to you when you sign up for an online discount pharmacy. Online pharmacies are convenient and accessible options. You can even look for the medicine you need at different pharmacies at the same time. Since they operate on the Internet, online pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can even get access to consultation services if you sign up for an online pharmacy with a telemedicine application. This way, you can get access to U.S.-grade healthcare services even if you are in another country. With a computer and an Internet connection, getting healthcare is a breeze.

5.Online discount pharmacies offer healthcare at lower cost.

If you are looking for a way to rack up savings without sacrificing healthcare, online discount pharmacies are your best bets. If your online discount pharmacy has a telemedicine service, you can save on going for doctor appointments, travel expenses, and lost income. While local pharmacies often pass the cost of their maintenance and utility expenses by giving higher mark-ups to their products, this is not the case with online pharmacies. Maintaining an online pharmacy is significantly cheaper so the company does not have to pass on extra costs to patients. With online pharmacies, you can enjoy discounts, rebates, and access to quality healthcare at your convenience.