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Phil and Kim Melugin, owners
Phil and Kim Melugin, owners

2016 Economic Impact Awards 1-5 Years in Operation Finalist: Phoenix Home Care Inc.

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When it comes to providing home health care or causing an economic impact at Phoenix Home Care Inc., it all starts with employees.

For owner and President Phil Melugin, the still-rising number of caregivers, clinicians and support staff are the company’s core as it expands both its lines of service locally and physical presence into Denver.

Providing employees competitive wages and benefits is another focus. Melugin says at a time when many of his company’s competitors are dealing with Affordable Care Act regulations by cutting working hours and benefits, Phoenix is committed to allowing the 40-hour workweek that makes employees and their dependents eligible for major medical coverage.

Wages, too, are a note of competitive pride. According to Melugin, nonlicensed staff typically earn $9-$11 per hour, with licensed individuals making more. It’s all part of an investment strategy to keep nearly 2,800 employees at 15 offices in four states dependable.

“As we invest in our employees, they are better citizens – more competitive in their individual communities by having quality health care and a compensation package with a livable wage,” Melugin says.

It’s a strategy Phoenix sees paying off in terms of growth. For revenue, Melugin says it’s grown by 87 percent in three years – 33 percent of that in 2015.

Beyond the individual, Phoenix is committed to making an economic impact with other local businesses. Over 90 percent of the company’s vendors are in the Springfield area. The dedication even extends to office furniture. As Phoenix finishes a local 6,000-square-foot expansion in Springfield and builds out locations in Independence and Overland Park, Kan, this year, Springfield firms will handle strategic planning, supply and installation.

Making a local impact also means advocating for populations Phoenix serves, and Melugin says the company lobbies in the Missouri and Kansas state legislatures to keep issues related to publicly funded home care top of mind for lawmakers inundated with requests.

“You have to be at the table and relevant in the discussion to move public policy in a direction that maintains high priority for the most cost-effective care that can be provided with public funds,” Melugin says. “That’s care in the home.”

The company also spends a considerable amount of time lending a hand to its key customer demographic in the community, helping raise funds for groups including SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging and the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, as well as sponsoring the Springfield Symphony’s senior shuttle.

Still, the company’s present roster of philanthropic involvement is not enough, according to Melugin. Over the next year or two, he says the company will be more proactive on addressing areas of need to assist portions of the population who either don’t make enough money to meet their present needs or qualify for publicly funded assistance.

“It’s a value that we have. There should be no gaps in a society like ours, with so many resources that are available,” Melugin says. “We have to step forward and be a resource.”

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